Today was the day.
In Carousel Boutique, Rarity had just finished with Applejack's mane, making her practically unrecognizable as a farmer. Twilight Sparkle stood at the center of town, commanding the forces of weather with a calm but organized manner. Fluttershy managed to wrangle Rainbow Dash into her dress hours ago, and was even now assisting her in making her way to the barn unseen. Big Mac and Granny Smith were in the south field, caring for some trees, while Apple Bloom sat in the schoolhouse too curious to focus on her lessons. And a stream of visiting ponies found, each and every one of them, greeted by a smiling pink baker, who slipped them all a piece of paper.
As the orb of Celestia the livegiver slowly made its way through the sky, Ponyville itself began to realize that something was going to happen today. It was an extra sense the natives had developed after so many crazed happenings in their small hamlet; the way that some ponies had plans, the way that others seemed to be missing, the influx of foreigners, Applejack in a dress... It was enough. They knew something was going on. And as Pinkie Pie began to bounce around town, sending invites to everypony, they felt that all too familiar feeling of anticipation. Still, the majority of the population waited; whatever crazy shenanigans would occur, they wouldn't occur any faster for interference.
Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack all arrived at Sweet Apple Acres without incident. The two in dresses had glowered at each other, silently entering the barn together to begin the last minute preparations. The animal caretaker had, after a moment of looking around awkwardly, flown back home... only to discover Pinkie Pie waiting with a maniac expression and find herself roped into an informal sentry duty. Rainbow Dash's identically named cousin, meanwhile, began leading the stream of visitors through the streets; Rarity and Twilight watched them pass with knowing looks.
And now, at last, they arrived at the barn. Now, at last, the true purpose of their presence would be known....
***
"How many relatives do you have, Dash?" Applejack was staring at the increasing crowd that was still growing ever larger.
"Well... there's my six brothers and sisters, seven cousins from aunt Spectrum, and five from aunt Chroma... I think three of Chroma's kids have married, so that's two and three and one kids from them... Oh, yeah, my big big bro over there divorced recently, his wife was just the worst, but he's got custody of his four kids. And big sis over there is pregnant again, geeze, she... sleeps around a lot, but she's got two fillies already and I guess she's a good mom to them." The pegasus tapped her hoof on the ground. "...Oh yeah! Aunt Spectrum's kids are all married, except Rainbow and Cumulus. But only four of them have kids, so that's... another sixteen... Hey look, Big bro over there brought a date, who'd have thunk it."
Applejack rapidly did the mental calculations. "So that's fourteen from Chroma, twenty six from Spectrum, fourteen from your mom... add the six pairs on top--Is your grandpa still alive?"
"One of them. Not Grandma's husband."
"...Sixty three?" The farmer considered her calculations. "Hmm. Sixty three. Not as big as the Apple clan, but pretty close."
"Oh darling, hello!" Rainbow Dash the earth pony walked up to Applejack. "I must say I was not expecting to see you here, but I can see it was quite worth it. You look simply dashing in that outfit. Did miss Rarity design it for you?"
"Why yes! She was quite helpful in creating this lovely piece of clothing." The farmer smiled. "Thank you very much for your well paid compliments. I do hope you find the barn here to be fitting of such a large soiree?"
"Well, to be honest, yes! True, it is a tad rustic for the tastes of my mother but," she leaned in conspiratorially, "my mother is quite frankly a diva."
"I do declare, such scandal! To hear a daughter talk like that about her own mother!"
Dash looked between the two of them. "Okay, fine. AJ, you've proven you can be high class, but seriously you're freaking me out."
Applejack flittered her eyelids. "Oh? I am so sorry, I am only presenting myself as you decreed was appropriate for this gathering. Did I misinterpret your request?"
"I asked that you not be here at all," Dash growled.
Rainbow's eyes flickered between the two friends. "I'm sorry, is something wrong?"
"Oh, no. Dashiel is simply feeling nervous about having one of her 'rough country bumpkin' friends present in such a unique gathering." Applejack gave Rainbow an apologetic smile. "It's merely a personal drama, I assure you, I doubt you have to worry about it."
Dash groaned. "Please, AJ, don't act like this. This isn't you. It's creepy. And don't call me Dashiel," she added as an afterthought, "only my family should call me that."
"Ooooooh, is that what this is about?" Rainbow smiled mischievously. "Well, don't you worry, Dashiel, I shall endeavor to ensure that your compatriot is not too overblown by the events which are coming forthwith. Come, miss Applejack, I have something I need to discuss with you in private; let us take to yonder snack table and continue our conversation free from the prying ears of my dear cousin."
"My, do I detect intrigue?" Applejack grinned. "Do please lead the way!" The two of them meandered off, leaving the pegasus somewhere between glaring and confused.
After a moment, Rainbow Dash glanced at the informal stage set up in the back of the barn. Her grandma was already walking up the steps, smiling and shaking hooves with well wishing descendants. With a resigned sigh, the weathermare adjusted her regalia, making sure her tiara was straight, and made her way to a position next to the old mare.
"...let's get this over with..."
Her grandma raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment on her tone. Instead, she lightly pinged a wineglass with her wing. The conversations around the room died down slowly, every eye looking upon them.
After a moment, the older mare cleared her throat. "Thank you all for attending my ninety seventh birthday anniversary. It is certainly good to see your lovely faces..." She adjusted her glasses. "Well, those that I can see anyway."
There were a few chuckles.
"About sixty three years ago... give or take a month, something very precious came into my hooves. And I loved it so much that I made two more of the dang things. Now, here I stand, and I see those three things have not only made their own bundles of joy but a few of those went ahead and started making their own! I believe it is safe to say that I am really freaking old."
Rainbow Dash blinked. This was... this wasn't what she was expecting at all. She gave her grandmother a look of confusion, but the old mare didn't seem to notice.
"That's what this really is, kiddos, a celebration of family. The fact that I'm the oldest one here, ha, that's just an excuse! Not that I mind the presents," she mused, "or the cake... or the food... but they're all besides the point. The point is, we're all in this together. So let's all support each other, no matter what path we take!"
The applause was polite, but genuine. The old mare held up a hoof.
"Thank you... and now, as is tradition, I turn the speechmaking duties over to our host. Fillies and Gentlecolts, please lend your ears to Rainbow Dashiel Silverhoof, fifteenth heir to the duchy of Cloudsdale."
HER NAME IS SILVERHOOF.
Oh and also, she's a duchess. Only two of you guessed that, and those two know who they are. They get the reward of coopertivly naming Rainbow's granny! WOOO! Just send me the names and I'll combine them!
Sweet Celestia.......
Has anyone seen my jaw?
Mind=blown'unable to speak now'
dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Soarin_dayum.png dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Spitfire_dayum.png
... shit just got real.
I NEED MORE FACES TO EXPRESS ALL THE EMOTIONS FLOWING OUT OF MY BRAIN.
I think that about sums it up!
My sister just made the cutest squeak of surprise ever.
images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111219184508/mlp/images/2/27/Fluttershy_oh_my_S01E22.png Oh my...
WHAT A TWEEST!
Honestly though, I was leaning towards her being Celestia's granddaughter until you brought up the history thing in the last chapter. Good job, mate!
And this explains why both Flutters and Rarity knew, but Twi only had an idea.
Daaang.
This is a really interesting story! Am I wrong though for wishing that Applejack and company to actually listen to Dash and not screw around with this?
So, as I said on the last chapter, Applejack is just there to annoy Rainbow. Yeah, really don't like that.
And Pinkie is going to be interfering and throwing a party and a huge amount of normal ponies at them at some point. That's not going to end well.
If I was Dash and was feeling this way about things already, Applejack would be on thin ice and I probably wouldn't talk to her for a few weeks, no matter how things ended up, simply because she needs to learn some freaking boundaries, but if Pinkie does what I think she's going to do, well, no matter what the outcome, she wouldn't be my friend anymore (and Pinkie is my favourite pony).
DAT BOMB. IT DROPPED.
Why is everyone so surprised? It was kind of obvious that something like this was going on.
Not much of a surprise, Twilight is already a Princess because her brother married a princess...
Still...
Well...
...
My Mind is... blown...
Ho.
Ly.
Sh.
It.
Snacks!
I did not see that one coming! What a great twist! Wow, now I can't wait to see what happens next! Update! UPDATE!
1052669
It does seem as if Applejack is there just to be a bother. RD is already sweating bullets about this familial shindig, and AJ showing up to make a point that could be easily considered at a less troubling time isn't making her job any easier.
And yes, I fully expect whatever Pinkie is planning to go off exactly as she plans it, which will inevitably result in exactly what RD most wishes would not happen.
Furthermore, I expect a certain amount of multicolored rage in the near future.
....oh.
Well, I didn't see that coming.
Nice... That is all
Wow, never would have guessed that. I'm looking forward to more.
sounds like Grandma must have lightened up now that she's old enough to use age as an excuse
1052542
I'm pretty sure it has joined mine at the bottom of that hole in the floor.
HOLY SHIT WTF PRUNE JUICE OMGWTFBBQ *deep breathe* MOTHER OF CELESTIA SWEET JESUS OMG!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!
*Runs away from iMac and jumps out of the window*
"WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuu..." *splat*
I'M FREAKIN' DED!
SO her family practically owns Cloudsdale in a sense? Not what i expected...
damn! did NOT see that coming.
1052844
And if this fic just has a quick 'oh we did it cause we care'-'oh ok then I forgive you' ending with no real conflict resolution like so many other fics do, I will be very disappointed.
theyellowkid.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/what-a-twist.jpg
Very interesting. Can't wait for the next.
Okay... let's just play that part again, shall we?
"Thank you... and now, as is tradition, I turn the speechmaking duties over to our host. Fillies and Gentlecolts, please lend your ears to Rainbow Dashiel Silverhoof, fifteenth heir to the duchy of Cloudsdale."
fifteenth heir to the duchy of Cloudsdale
heir to the duchy of Cloudsdale
heir
So, what the heck. Heir to the duchy of Cloudsdale? Me confused...
1053214
that means she's 15th in line to be the royal leader of cloudsdale
Okay, now make it a This Platinum Crown crossover!
1052669
Eeeyup.
1052669
Dash is holding a party on her property, that extends the limits on those boundaries I think
Sweet Luna... How did I not see that coming?
More, please?
Ooooooh snap.
I had a feeling she might somehow be nobility or royalty or something. 15th in line for the Duchy of Cloudsdale.. Nice.
....anybody else play Crusade Kings 2? Because I suddenly wish so badly that there was an MLP mod for it!
1053258
Oh! Well that makes sense! Exept for the fact that this is Rainbow Dash that we're talking about here. But still, thanks for telling me!
Oh blitznak
myfacewhen.net/uploads/245-hory-shet-spongebob.jpg
PLEASE LET THE OTHER PONIES GO ""
1052938
*later at the scene of the crime*
Detective: What seems to be the cause of the murder
Officer: This fan fic sir
*detective looks at fan fic*
Detective: HOLY SHIT AAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHH *splat*
I didn't see that coming.
How much do I owe you, 'cause you just blew my mind!!!
Wait...what?
I mean...
...huh?
That...That was so sudden that I nearly...
...
...What?
I mean... of all the things I was expecting...
...
...
...What?
*le gasp*
Nice twist there.
1052510
Wait... I discover this story JUST as I miss out on the contest?
And it would have been my first guess, too. dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/shrug_Rainbow_Dash.png I've only seen "Rainbow is a rebel Nobel" plot point once so far (Twice, if we include that "Celestia's Daughter" story), but it just seems to fit. ...granted, said story I'm referring to has her the adopted daughter of Gryphon nobility, but again, Dashie raised by gryphons ALSO fits quite well.
Either way, glancing over the comments has convinced me that this story is worth my time. *Tracked*
1053305
Except that it really doesn't. At all.
See, by letting RD have the party in her barn, AJ technically agreed to abide by those boundaries. If she didn't want to, she should have immediately told Dash to take her party elsewhere.
And honestly, from RD's perspective (and somewhat from the perspective of the reader, as well) it seems like AJ's just there to cause trouble and mock Dash's insecurities. Which is decidedly not something a friend does to you, especially not when you're already strung up like a kite.
1052510
...and I just now realize that you're the author of Amalgam, Curiousity Maintentance Crew, and Steel Soul, so you're already on my Watch list.
Not that it would matter, since I was introduced to your works via Steel Soul, which came out... Last week, wasn't it? I never stood a chance.
*Begins reading while waiting for Amalgam, Curiousity Maintentance Crew, and Stargate: Equestria to update* dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/lolface_Celestia.png
*Attempt x2* Post, scrap you! Post!
HOLY MOTHERFUCKING JESUS ON A MOTHERFUCKING POGOSTICK! THE FUCK IS THIS FUCK DOING WITH ALL THESE FUCKING FUCKS! FUCK!
"Well you certantly displayed the versatility of that word."
Applejack amused me. Very awesome story so far. :D
can't wait for the next chapter!
I mean sure... the rainbow is nobility point threw me off, but I like it! and I love how her grandmother is talking in a way similar enough to her own vocabulary.
Now as to AJ being there? I think it was less to annoy dash, and more just to see what all the hubub was about... annoying dash was just an added bonus.
As to what's going on with pinkie? would you expect anything less from miss party herself? seriously... who throws a party in ponyville... without pinkie getting involved? that's like expecting the weather to just take care of itself
or for the sun to rise, without celestia doing it.
1015368 she pulls out a exploding world trade center tower? that takes skill man
Bet you 5 bits Derpy is also royalty in this universe...
Probably next in line for the throne or something(Tia and Lulu don't talk about it lol).