A week had passed since Wildcard met with his superior. A week since the attack on Baltimare, a week of nearly constant security meetings and trivial details involving coordinating the reinforcements sent up to the coast. Griffon incursions started to become an almost daily thing, and it was taxing their resources heavily. Wildcard knew that eventually they would find a weak point and break through, it was only a matter of time. What they would do with that victory was another question entirely. Would they settle for a raid, would they use it to force some concession from Celestia, or was it a prelude for a full scale invasion? The changelings still failed to insert any operatives into the Griffon High Command, they seemed to have a strange way of detecting them from miles off. They had succeeded in infiltrating the independent states however, and managed to track down the sources of those mysterious shipments. The griffons were trying to buy allies, but a quick bit of diplomacy by Celestia, combined with a few 'misplaced orders' in high places, quickly broke the burgeoning relations. As for the Doctor, he had returned to Baltimare to rebuild his lab, entirely unaware of what had happened there a week ago, as far as he was concerned the last year hadn't even happened. Colgate had asked Wildcard for more information a few times, but he was able to brick wall her with 'national security' excuses. She was persistent though, and Wildcard found her sending nearly constant requests for information to The Royal Guard, Celestia, Luna, and even the archives once. These all ended up at Wildcard's desk, and then in the bin beside it. One day she would know the truth, but not before everyone else.
Most of the Equestrian command structure forgave the changelings their inability to get any solid information on the griffons true purposes, beyond Zeta's vague warnings of a pending invasion. They seemed happy to have their help at all, but it was Spitifre to Wildcard's surprise that started to question the value of the alliance, noting an entire century was currently dug in fighting with the Changelings to secure the badlands. The rail network proceeded as planned under this high security, but it was proving costlier than imagined. Sptifire mentioned that the steel could have gone to producing those 'anti air guns' Captain Massè had used on a large scale, but she was shut when Celestia noted that weapons production would alert the populace to problems. Peace would maintained to the very last hour it was possible.
Baltimare had been explained away as an 'incident' as part of this. The scale of the cover up was huge, and for the first time in his stay, Wildcard found that Luna had actually censored Equestria Daily from reporting on the scale of destruction that day. A few bat ponies had, as near as he could tell, warned the editors to 'delay' the story, or there might be 'consequences'. So they choose to write an article rehashing the early antics of Wildcard instead. He grinned and bore it, it was better then mass panic.
Eta-Zeta found himself fitting in well, running errands for Wildcard nearly constantly. He got his shots the day after arriving, and as ordered opened the 'embassy' a bank account. A hundred bits of this went to buying a dozen bottles of cider, and a few hundred more went to furnishing Wildcard's office; which finally began to resemble and actual office fitting an Ambassador. The rest of the money Wildcard invested in Applebucks's, cutting a deal for 5% of the company. She had apparently been using the profit from trade with the changelings to expand, and would shortly be opening a second location in Manehatten. Wildcard doubted she could realize her dream of 'An Applebuck's across the street from an Applebuck's," but he was sure that the pony was smart enough with business to make them both a great deal of money. The second shipment of cider to the hive provided him with two hundred bits as well, things were starting to really look up for the Ambassador.
Wildcard had also taken First Class out on a further few occasions, always exploring some new facet of the inner mountain. Wildcard decided to keep that dossier, he found knowing her birthday and favourite colour to be incredibly useful. He did, however, get a lock for that drawer.
Today, two weeks after arriving, Wildcard was at his desk finishing his daily intelligence update home. He had added to that compilation he made nearly a week ago, deciding he would hand it off when the rail line was dedicated in three weeks. For now he only sent critical intelligence back home, only receiving it in turn. Today's briefing had revealed a potential griffon outpost on a small island east of Baltimare, the changelings could disguise as griffons and go undetected long enough to provide some basic fly-by recon. On his end he reported that the griffon's had been pressing the changelings own patrols much more then usual, the wonderbolts remained on standby if they broke through or really pressed the attack, thankfully. Not all the Wonderbolts were happy with this state of affairs, one of which in particular laid on a couch against the wall, bouncing a plastic ball against the ceiling.
"Are you always this boring?" she asked, rainbow tail swishing back and forth with the pace of the ball. Up and down, up and down... as it had for the past hour.
"You don't have to be here." Wildcard said, clacking away at his typewriter, idly aware of the pest taking up space in the room. "I don't even know why you are."
"'cause you're evil, and I'm going to prove it."
Wildcard paused and leaned past the paper. "By pestering me to death?" he asked.
Rainbow Dash turned over and met his gaze. "If I wait long enough, you'll do something evil. You're evil. eeeviiiiiiillllll, " She said, flailing her hooves. She caught the ball with her rear hoof and tossed it back up.
Wildcard resumed typing. Were it not for the fact his pony had somehow ascended to become leader of a Wonderbolt squadron, Wildcard would have thrown her out hours ago. Maybe if he adjusted the treaty, and specifically excluded the Wonderbolts...
Hearing a knock on the open door Wildcard leaned past the paper again to see Zeta standing in the doorway. Wildcard had sent him out to check on the steel supplies, he had spent the last two days following a shipment from the Crystal Empire all the way to the new line.There was a bundle of papers clutched against his chest, and he looked like he hadn't slept since he had left, which considering the nature of changeling loyalty to orders was probably true.
That fact probably made Rainbow Dash here the closest thing Equestria had to a proper changeling warrior. She had been pestering Wildcard all week out of some misplaced need to protect Equestria from the changelings. He wanted more then anything to tell her that they were all one and the same, but Celestia was right, that revelation would have to wait.
"Come on in Zeta, don't mind our 'guest'." Wildcard said, waving his subordinate on in. He had thought of promoting him, but Zeta had become his name to the ponies, and it would be confusing to have to suddenly call him Gamma. So until Zeta picked up a nickname, a promotion would wait.
"Just got back from the Badlands, everything is proceeding to schedule. Looks like a war zone down there though, those diamond dogs just won't give up," Zeta said as he trotted to Wildcard's desk. He glanced at the pegasus still lounging on the couch, mindful of the eyes watching him. Dropping his papers on the desk he leaned in to whisper.
"Why's she here?" Zeta asked.
"Because we're allies, and she can hear you." Wildcard whispered back. Zeta glanced back to meet a grin that made him shudder.
"What's on those papers, is it evil?" Rainbow Dash asked naively, jumping up and pushing aside Zeta to look them over. Wildcard humoured her.
"It's just a bunch of numbers, and dates. This looks like a telephone number?" She flipped through the pages. Wildcard found himself wondering what the 'telephone' number could be. Grabbing the papers magically, to a scowl from the pony, he leafed through and found what she had been referring to.
"783-4940-399: Golden Acres."
Wildcard leaned to the side, finding Zeta blushing and looking down across the desk.
"Well, Casanova, who's Golden Acres?" Wildcard asked, and smiled as he leaned back in his chair.
Rainbow Dash made a face as if she had tasted something rotten, and flopped back down on the couch.
"She's... a friend... we met in the Crystal Empire," Zeta replied. He scratched the back of his head.
Wildcard eyed the red telephone on his desk. He had it installed in case an emergency required contacting home in a hurry, but the potential for shenanigans right now was astonishing. He couldn't help himself, and with his hoof-stylus quickly punched in the number, throwing the receiver at Zeta. He held it like it was a bomb, and then fumbled to put it to his ear when a voice came through.
Wildcard sat back, and with a wide mischievous grin, enjoyed the show.
"Hi it... yeah it's me, Zeta..."
"Well, yes... I had fun too..."
"Here? Tonight?" He looked to Wildcard for approval, Wildcard nodded in return.
"Yeah, that sounds good. I'll see you there... Goldie," Zeta finished and tossed the receiver back on the stand.
"Ugh, you're the worst." Rainbow Dash commented, not straying from her duty to tossing that ball up and down.
Wildcard leaned forward and smiled at his subordinate, whom was standing awkwardly and seemingly trying to curl up inside of himself as he pawed at the ground.
"Take the rest of the day off, get cleaned up, and go get her," Wildcard said, opening the door behind his comrade with a familiar green field. He had come to the conclusion that life without magic wasn't really living, how had he gotten this far in his life without telekinesis?
"Thanks boss, I'll see you tomorrow?" Zeta asked as he scooped up his papers.
"Actually, I got a letter from a bank in Vanhoover asking to hire some warriors. I'll be off to sort that out, so take the day off I guess," Wildcard replied. The typewriter clacked as he completed his letter.
Zeta opened his mouth but was shoved aside by Rainbow Dash.
She hovered over the room, looking down on Wildcard. He had known pegasi to use their wings for almost anything, but this one almost seemed like a bird in how subconsciously she constantly flew around.
"You've going to Vanhoover?" She asked.
"Yes I am, why?" Wildcard returned.
Rainbow Dash spun in the air, Zeta and Wildcard watching confused from below.
"We'll go together."
Zeta glanced at Wildcard, who looked him with a look of total horror. Zeta quickly backed out of the room and galloped off before he risked losing his night out.
Wildcard wanted to refuse, but this pony had been pestering him all week. If he did, she would probably just end up following him on the train, or something. It was time to cross this bridge.
Wildcard was extremely thankful that his phone began to ring.
"Hold that thought," Wildcard said. Rainbow Dash frowned and continued to hover while Wildcard picked up the receiver.
"You, my office, now." Captain Massé growled on the other end. There was a click followed by the dial tone.
Wildcard gently put the receiver down, and he felt his mane stand up straight. He had never heard the Captain so... enraged.
"Alright, fine. Meet me at the train station in half an hour," Wildcard said as he slipped out of his chair. He grabbed the letter hanging out of the typewriter, quickly folding it in an envelope, and made for the door.
"If I'm still alive, anyway." He added.
Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and swooped to block the door.
"Oh no, no trains. We fly."
"To Vanhoover? That's a hundred miles away!" Wildcard exclaimed.
"It sure is." Rainbow Dash said, staring him down.
Wildcard sighed. "Fine, fine. I wasn't planning on making it back today anyway, now if you'll excuse me, that was the Captain."
Rainbow Dash moved to the side, and gave an exaggerated bow in the air.
"Don't mind me, Ambassador" She grinned. Wildcard wondered if she could sense his fear.
Without any further ado Wildcard left into the hallway, Rainbow Dash following silently at a distance she thought made her invisible. He made a mental note that this pony, while great in the sky; wasn't much of a spy.
Wildcard wasn't sure if he wanted to get this done quickly, assuming the Captain was going to arrest him or something he could get out his little pending adventure.
Wildcard paused before the Captain's office door, Flash Sentry stood beside it. That pony sure did seem to get around, Wildcard thought, and handed him the letter, he nodded as he received it.
"Be careful, he's been furious all day," Flash warned. Wildcard nodded and, reluctantly, pushed open the door.
Captain Massé sat behind his desk. On it was a single manilla folder, with a big red TOP SECRET stamp. Beside it the Captain's canteen lay on it's side.
"Sit. Read," the Captain ordered. Wildcard did as asked, picking up the folder.
"I found this while going over my predecessors unsolved cases, this one goes back almost thirty years," He explained.
Wildcard looked over the document inside. It was a single page, hand written and yellowed with age. It was a witness statement from the Vanhoover detachment of the Royal Guard, and as he read it his eyes widened. The document specified the case of an doctor stealing a baby from a hospital, only that doctor had been in an entirely other city at the time; with many witnesses. The conclusion of the officer writing the report was that changelings were involved, but he couldn't explain why. The mother was single, with the father having disappeared a few months before the mother giving birth.. It was the description of the child that really set Wildcard's mind alight.
"Black mane. Pegasus, blue eyes. Notably the child was reported to possess a crooked horn that was scheduled to be removed surgically. Holes in the legs and arms were apparent, unexplainable by the doctors at the time. I have been told to keep this from the mother, for whatever reason. Princess Luna has told me she'll be taking up the investigation herself, but I suspect something is amiss."
The document slid out of Wildcards hooves as the information ran through his mind. He was oblivious to the scowl of Captain Massé across the desk.
"Captain, do you know what this means?"
"It means you kidnapped a child!" He exclaimed, slamming his hooves against the desk.
"Captain, this child is my superior. The horn, the missing father, it makes sense. The date of birth lines up too," Wildcard explained. For a moment Captain Massé paused, and his scowl turned to wide eyed amazement.
"Sweet Celestia..." Captain Massé breathed, falling back into his seat.
For a few moments the room was filled with silence, both considering the far reaching implications of this discovery.
Wildcard rubbed his forehead. "The Doctor did say we were genetically compatible..."
Captain Massé leaned in. "But why would Luna cover it up?" He asked.
Wildcard sighed. "How would you like to explain to this mare that her child was a changeling, and the father too? Who was she anyway? This didn't go into much detail."
The Captain shook his head. "I don't know, I wasn't able to find anything more. The Night Guard might know more, I can't get into their archives."
"Well can't you just ask her?" Wildcard inquired.
"That would be an enormous break of protocol, I'm the Captain of the Equestrian Royal Guard, I know my place," He explained.
"But you..."
Wildcard nodded. "I'll see what I can do, but I warn you- I might find her position agreeable."
The Captain sat back, and sighed. "Fine, you do what's best for your people, and I'll do what's best for mine."
Moments later Wildcard left the Captain's office, closing the door behind him. Flash stood at the side.
"Were you here just to listen to us?" Wildcard asked.
He shrugged in return. "Don't worry about me, I know my place. You've got an interesting dilemma."
He was then bowled over by the force of a blue blur flying down the hallway, sliding in the air to hover in front of Wildcard.
"What dilemma, what were you talking about?" She asked quickly.
"Nothing that concerns you, Rainbow Dash. Now let's get going so we can get to Vanhoover before the sun sets," Wildcard suggested.
"I've just got to get my bag from my room, and we c-" Wildcard was hit by said bag, silencing him.
"Alright, fine. Let's go," he said. Rainbow Dash grinned eagerly and flew down the hallway, Wildcard followed- on hoof.
"Why are we even going together, I still don't get it!" Wildcard shouted behind her. She flipped around and kept up the same pace- despite being backwards. Wildcard's eyebrows twitched at the impressive move.
"Wonderbolts are flying there tonight and I want to see why everyone likes you so much now. How can anypony so uncool--" She paused to swoop under a doorway, still backwards. "-- managed to impress Celestia and Luna?" She wondered aloud.
"I don't think they're impressed, Rainbow Dash," Wildcard said as they left the castle proper to the outside.
"Well they obviously don't think you're evil," She noted.
"They don't think I'm a saint either. There's a grey area in between worship and hate- it's called respect." Wildcard said, for a moment Rainbow Dash hovered and appeared to consider this. Wildcard really hoped he would get through.
"Whatever," She turned and with a powerful flap shot into the air. Wildcard sighed, and with a buzz of his own wings followed. At first Rainbow Dash shot ahead, with Wildcard lagging behind. She kept gesturing back for him to speed up, but he wasn't having it. It would take three hours of flight at cruising speed to get to Vanhoover, Wildcard could barely keep that up. Trying to speed all the way there would just end up with him in the ditch. Were it not for the lack of holes in his wings he probably wouldn't have been able to make it at all.
He decided he would have to take a trip to the hospital tomorrow, and have a word with whoever was in charge of the vaccines now.
Once again Rainbow Dash burst a little ahead and gestured back at Wildcard. "Pick up the pace, slowpoke!" She shouted.
"I'm an Ambassador, not a Wonderbolt!" Wildcard shouted back.
Rainbow Dash groaned, and fell back to his side. "Seriously? A school filly could outpace you."
"Yeah well, that's life kid," Wildcard said, staring straight ahead.
Rainbow Dash seemed insulted by this. "Kid?! I'm a squadron leader, I'm the only one that can do a sonic rainboom- ever!" she ranted.
"You're also dripping hubris." Wildcard mumbled.
"Hey! I earned the right to gloat, it took a lifetime of work!" Rainbow Dash shouted at him. "Y'know what? I think you're afraid," She said, and butted his side.
"Afraid of what, exactly?" Wildcard asked, scowling at the pony flying beside him.
"Afraid to act like a pony, afraid to stretch your wings and stop being so uptight all the time. Afraid to sweat." Rainbow Dash accused, and pulled ahead to glance back at him.
"You want my respect? Earn it." She said, and sped off forward. Wildcard gritted his teeth and matched her speed. She sped up again.
He matched it.
Before long the two had come to an incredible pace, still far from the fastest Rainbow Dash could go, but far faster then Wildcard had ever been. He found himself grinning as they sped through the clouds, dodging around them. Wildcard even noticed he had a green contrail to match the rainbow one that followed his wingmate. Flying over Equestria, Wildcard occasionally spared a glance down at the rolling hills of the unicorn range. They passed Cloudsdale eventually, which hung over this to the north. Wildcard noted how beautiful it was, he would have to take a trip there soon; as soon as he could find some official excuse.
Surprisingly quickly he sighted Vanhoover in the distance along the east coast. It was beautiful, and Wildcard thought it must the most peaceful city in the entire nation. The only thing across that ocean was the Zebras and the Saddle Arabians. So far were they that contact was minimal, and entirely peaceful. Rainbow Dash glanced back and grinned, spinning over on her back to swoop below the clouds. With a burst of speed she took off towards the city. Wildcard followed, straining his wings to keep pace.
Wildcard swept some sweat off his brow as they came to less then a meter above the ground, their wake rippling the grass as they flew over the plains leading up the city. Rainbow Dash sped up yet again on a final sprint, Wildcard strained his wings, barely managing to keep up. They burned with the pain of exertion, but he wasn't going to give up now. He gritted his teeth and stuck to it. Closer and closer the city came, faster then he thought possible.
Wildcard was so fixated on flying forward that he didn't notice Rainbow Dash had landed, he shot ahead into the city itself before he glanced back and realized it. Lost in a second of confusion he braked in mid air, overcompensating; which resulting in him tumbling forward through the air towards the dirt roads below. Flapping his wings uselessly he braced for impact, closing his eyes and cringing as he awaited the pending calamity.
He never hit the ground, a blue blur swept him up in as it passed below him, so close that the dirt was swept up from the ground. She braked and sent that flying forward.
Wildcard cautiously opened one eye, finding himself laying on top of Rainbow Dash. She quickly shrugged him off, and he found his shaky footing on the ground. His wings shut up tight as the fatigue caught up with them, and he panted as he tried to catch his breath.
"Thank....you..." He breathed.
Rainbow Dash hovered ahead of him, looking down with her hooves crossed. Wildcard noted how she didn't even seem to notice flying at a sprinting pace for nearly an hour and a half.
"Look, you might not be my friend, but... I guess you aren't evil either," She said.
"You almost flew as well as a first year flight school cadet, how does it feel?" She asked giddily.
Wildcard gasped and calmed his breathing. His wings burnt but it was a.. good kind of burn.
"Good." He replied.
Rainbow Dash flew down to him,
"That's fantastic!" She exclaimed, and then leaned in a little closer. "But I wouldn't write home about it," She said.
He certainly wouldn't, at this point he was hiding enough things from enough people that it was easier to just throw a blanket over his entire memory.
"I gotta go find the Wonderbolts, you do... whatever it is you do," Rainbow Dash said and flew off.
Wildcard stood there for a second, letting his mind catch up with his body. His body overrode it as it realized it had just spent almost two hours flying faster then he ever had before, and it needed food. Hijacking his mind his body forced him forward, looking for somewhere to get something to eat. Soon enough he found an establishment, bemused by the name of it enough to draw him in: Buckapples.
Inside Wildcard found a mostly empty establishment, with a pink pony behind the bar counter cleaning glasses. There were probably better places to get food, but he was curious about this place in particular. She noticed him enter and stood straight as a plank across the counter, apparently eager for business.
"Sup, name's Buckapple Pie, and this is my humble establishment. Can I get you anything?" She asked.
"What do you have to eat, I'm starving." Wildcard asked.
"Well, I've got a fresh shipment of oranges, some pears, a few mangoes..." She pointed to a board behind her. A long list of fruits and vegetables covered it, with the noted exception of apples.
"No apples?" Wildcard asked, she put her hooves on the counter and glared at him.
"No apples." She growled.
Wildcard noticed something skitter in the corner of the room, and he pretended not to.
"Alright, fine, I suppose a mango or two will do it, and some cider." He asked.
"Coming right on up!" Buckapple exclaimed, and turned to leave into the back.
Wildcard opened his bag and brought out a small notepad and a pencil. He quickly jotted something on it and tore it out, putting both back in his bag.
"Applebuck, I think I've found your first new location... make sure the health inspector is in Vanhoover tomorrow, I'll handle the rest."
Applebuck returned with the food he had ordered. Thankfully it looked like that rat was the only thing dirty about the establishment. He paid her a requested ten bits and quickly ate, and drank half the cider before leaving without any further conversation. When he was done he quickly left. Outside he started at a trot, and then as soon as he was out of sight of the building he set off at a gallop, frantically looking for the nearest post office.
He found it quickly. the city wasn't very big. The post office was across the road from the bank he had been requested to come to, which Wildcard found extremely convenient. Wildcard grinned and trotted to the bank first,, where it was replaced with a more serious expression as he pulled out the letter sent to him by the owners of this bank. He was to talk to a Mr. Pretense.
Going inside to a guarded side door Wildcard wondered how exactly ponies named their children. Was it some bizarre bit of magical foresight, luck, or was there some weird all encompassing magic field controlled everything, guiding and shaping events... some sort of..
Force?
"Yo you gonna stand there all day buddy?" Wildcard looked up to see a suited stallion staring at him. He was almost as big as the Night Guard bouncer.
"Sorry, I'm Ambassador Wildcard, here to see Mr. Pretense," Wildcard explained.
"He's been expecting you, go right on in." The guard said, and pushed the door open. Wildcard entered to a pony behind a desk that was covered in bars of gold. He was inspecting one of these as the door shut behind Wildcard.
"Ambassador, have a seat," The pony gestured to a seat before the desk, and put the bar down. "I'm glad you could make it so quickly, I respect someone who knows where the real power is."
"The real power?" Wildcard asked, taking a seat.
"Mr. Wildcard, you may not know it but Celestia only has a faint knowledge of the real scale of the economy of Equestria, I'm the one that keeps this nation running smoothly." He said, gesturing over the gold bars. "I am the one that sets the interest rate, I am the one that mints the gold. I control it all," He explained.
"This isn't about guards, is it?" Wildcard inquired.
"Quite right, I want to make you an offer Ambassador." Pretense said, and grabbed a paper from below his desk.
"I mint most of Equestria's gold, I get paid well for this... but I also pay a considerable amount of tax." He pushed the paper towards Wildcard. It looked somewhat like a shipping invoice, for an unspecified metal to be shipped from Vanhoover to the hive. It was a very expensive metal according to this. Wildcard brought out his notepad and began to jot something down.
"What I propose is this, I send some of the gold to you, and you pay me for this 'metal' in return, keep oh.. ten percent for yourselves."
Wildcard finished his note, and tore it off. Mr. Pretense smiled, probably assuming him to have written something more flattering.
"Celestia, arrest Mr. Pretense immediately. Attached you will find evidence of conspiracy to commit mass fraud against Equestria."
"I accept." Wildcard said, and took the 'invoice'. Mr. Pretense tented his hooves over his desk. "Excellent."
He pushed something under his desk and the door opened. "Feel free to come back any time, Wildcard, I may have more... work."
Wildcard smirked at him as he left. Mr. Pretense would be lucky if he didn't find himself on the moon tomorrow.
Leaving the Bank behind him, Wildcard trotted over to the post office, grinning. He realized that he had just, without even really thinking about, chosen Equestria over the Hive. Either way, committing fraud on this sort of scale during the lead up to war wouldn't help anybody... or anypony... in the long run.
Was there any real difference though, in the end, he wondered. Cantering into the Post Office he found the most unusual thing in the history of all Equestria, or the world. Possibly the multiverse.
There was no line, and a postal pony stood ready at a counter.
"Good Afternoon!" The tan coated pegasus greeted.
"Good Afternoon to you too, I need to send this..."Wildcard paused and grabbed two envelopes. Inside he stuffed each note, extremely careful to make sure the right ones went to the right people, quickly writing "Princess Celestia" on one and Applebuck's address on the other. "To Canterlot, express," He said, sliding them over.
The postal pony took them and nodded. "By tomorrow or i--" Wildcard cut him off by dumping a few dozen bits on the counter.
"Today." He said.
The stallion glanced around, and then collected the bits with a hoof. He then rummaged around under his counter and pulled out an "out to lunch" sign.
"Today." He repeated, and put the sign up on the counter. He then leapt over the counter past Wildcard, and out the door. Wildcard left after him shortly, the pony soaring into the sky and disappearing in the distance. With that accomplished Wildcard had the rest of the day to himself. Remembering the reason for Rainbow Dash coming here, he decided he would take in that show. Finding a poster pasted to the side of a building as he trotted down the road he took a close look. The image of the Wonderbolts lined up staring at the sky was overlaid with today's date, and a time: 7PM. Judging by the sun's point in the sky he figured that wasn't long from now, but wasn't sure where the event was. Looking to the sky he noticed a few ponies sitting on a rooftop, gazing upwards as well. Examining the building he noted a staircase that ran around it, perhaps they knew where the event was.
Wildcard tried to flap his wings, which resulted in a flash of pain down his back. In any case, he wasn't going to be flying to it.
At the top of the stairs Wildcard got a better look at the ponies lined up along the edge. He noticed a familiar flank and couldn't contain his enthusiasm.
"First Class!" He exclaimed, and cantered over. She got up and turned to him, smiling warmly as he approached.
"Wildcard! Fancy meeting you here!" She exclaimed in return, and got up with her hooves outreached. Wildcard met her and they shared a warm embrace.
"It is really nice to see a familiar face." Wildcard said, releasing to hold her hooves as they stood together.
"I know, I thought I was alone in this one cart town," She said, and subtly nodded to where the others sat. "Celestia sent me here as her official representative for this Wonderbolts performance, what brings you here?" She asked. They both sat, hooves still held together.
"Business, a Mr. Pretense had called me here for some sort of deal, and you won't believe what it was,"
First Class lifted her eyebrow. "Oh?" She asked.
Wildcard told her of the 'offer' Mr. Pretense had made. First Class found it hilarious, since she had recently relayed a complaint by one of the stallions tellers about poor pay. Celestia had threatened to take his job, and they both wondered if this fraud was some sort of payback for that. In any case, he would soon find himself finding what happened when you crossed an ancient alicorn capable of moving celestial bodies, one with an army nonetheless. She also introduced him to the others on the roof, the mayor of town whom was an earth pony, and his sheriff. The show was due to fly over the town, so First Class had to stay down here with them as they couldn't fly up to the pegasi cloud seating.
Wildcard didn't care, he was happy enough to be there with her. They sat side by side and waited for the show to begin.
When they did, it was breathtaking. Just as the sun finished descending over the horizon the Wonderbolts flew out from behind two clouds in two squadrons, straight at each other. From the ground fireworks shot upwards and they dodged around the explosions, circling each other and coming together, then breaking apart again. Wildcard noticed something as it went on- if he squinted and concentrated it looked quite like the Wonderbolts were holding something in their hooves as they went through this routine, and then the dual squadron motif of it all suddenly made sense.
This was a war game, dressed up to look like a flying show. Spitfire was an absolute genius in planning this. The night lighting disguised the fact that they all held mock weapons, and the fireworks firing from down below was both a fantastic display for those watching, and an important facet of the exercise- the Wonderbolts would need to stay steady under fire if they had any chance against the Griffons. Wildcard whispered his idea to First Class as the show went on.
"That really is brilliant," She commented. Wildcard couldn't help but gaze at her as the fireworks highlighted her face. He had found perfection in a mare.
She noticed him and blushed.
And then she kissed him.
Wildcards higher brain put on a hat and strode out the door. This left him sitting there, in a state of euphoric shock. Blood filled his cheeks to the point where he seemed to glow red, and his eyes glowed a dull blue.
The rest of his body emanated a faint green glow, which he would think to be unusual were his brain not stuck in a reboot cycle.
Wildcard felt a hoof prod his side, his body wasn't sure what to do with this information and ignored it. For a good half minute his nerves frantically communicated with his brain until, eventually, it managed to turn itself back on.
"Wildcard?" First Class said. "Wildcard, you there?"
He shook his head, and turned to find her looking at him with a worried expression on her face. "I seem to have drifted off for a second, what is it?" He asked.
She pointed to the ground. Wildcard followed her hoof to notice the ground was slightly green, and that green light was coming from him.
"Well this is new." He said, looking over himself. He also noticed that a euphoric sensation had taken over his entire body. It was as if his every cell was flooded with some physical manifestation of joy.
"Are you okay?" First Class asked worriedly.
"I'm the best I've ever been," Wildcard said.
He leaned over and kissed her again. For a second their lips locked and Wildcard closed his eyes. For this moment he was at the beach.
When he opened them again to see First Class's wonderful blue eyes, he wasn't disappointed to have left.
"Best I've ever been..." he repeated.
A few minutes later the show ended to applause from the four on the rooftop. Wildcard led First Class down to the street, guiding himself in the night light by the glow of his own body. She seemed pretty happy too, a smile ran ear to ear and showed no signs of fading. He barely even felt her hoof in his as they walked down the dirt road.
"So, heading home?" Wildcard asked.
"I might be, are you?" First Class asked in turn.
"I've got some more work here tomorrow, I was going to find an inn," Wildcard replied.
"Then I will too," First Class said.
If it were possible for a changeling to explode with love, Wildcard probably would have. They walked down the street, hoof in hoof, looking for somewhere to spend the night. Passerby stared and whispered to each other as a glowing, formerly evil shapshifter enemy of the nation, walked by with the Princess's Assistant at his side. Neither of them cared. Eventually they found an inn: The Noble Stable.
It sounded nice enough, so they both walked in to find an old mare leaning on a counter with a board of keys behind her. Wildcard rang a bell on the counter and she opened one eye. Seeing two ponies, one glowing green, she was startled awake.
"Who are you, and why are you glowing?" She asked quickly, bending under the desk to grab something.
"Just two ponies, we're looking for a room." First Class said. Wildcard didn't correct her, after all she wasn't really wrong.
"Right... " The mare squinted her eyes and looked them over. She stared at Wildcard intently, seemingly examining him thoroughly.
"Anyway, a room. I've got one you two might like, Honeymooners suite," She suggested.
First Class snorted. "We're not..." She glanced at Wildcard, and mouthed 'yet'.
He coughed and scratched the back of his head, glancing around awkwardly.
"Well you coulda fooled me, you been holdin' hooves since you walked in here."
First Class giggled and squeezed Wildcard's hoof gently. His wings buzzed in response, sending an arc of pain up through Wildcard's back that made him stand straight as a plank.
"Y'know what? We'll take it, why not." Wildcard said.
"Alright then, stranger. Twenty bits."
Wildcard paid her, and shortly afterwards the pair found themselves in the room. A large single bed was the highlight, with furniture here and there. They released their hooves for the first time in a good half hour and took their sides of the bed, Wildcard was exhausted and found the bed quite comfortable, quite comfortable indeed. Laying his sore back on it he turned to find First Class's smiling gaze beside him. His wings buzzed, painfully, with delight. He cringed as they did.
She frowned. "Sore wings?" She asked.
"Yeah... I flew all the way here, and I had to keep pace with Rainbow Dash too," he explained.
"Really, you kept pace with the fastest pegasus... ever?"
"I didn't think I could either, honestly." Wildcard replied.
"Roll over," First Class ordered, with a wink. Wildcard did, and soon felt her hooves massaging his sore wing muscles. He sighed with pleasure and closed his eyes, soon falling asleep.
Awakening the next morning, following perhaps the most restful sleep of his entire life, Wildcard was startled awake by a frantic series of knocks on the door. Before he could even sit up it swung open and the familiar visage of Flash Sentry galloped in.
"Wildcard!" he shouted, and slid over. "Wildcard!" He shouted again, shaking the groggy changeling.
"W-h-a-t-i-s-i-t-?" He asked.
The reply was a copy of Equestria Daily which Flash Sentry shoved in his face. Snatching it Wildcard read it, and then was so taken with fear that he fell off the bed with a scream, and as he lay on the ground he shimmered to become a shaking fluffy sheep.
It would be hilarious if not for the headline of that paper, which now lay beside him on the floor as Flash tried to shake him back to his senses. At the top of the front page were universal words of terror: Extra Edition. Below that, worse:
"RESERVES ACTIVATED; PARLIAMENT CALLED ONE MONTH FROM TODAY, FOLLOWING ATTACK ON BALTIMARE."