Equestria, Las Pegasus, 06-12-05 A.N.M., 12:42 AM (After Nightmare Moon)
Hard Target looked impassively at the royal messenger pegasus that was standing before him. He knew this mare by reputation, and wasn’t sure that he was willing to believe her story. “So, I’m to believe that you have a message from the Diarchy for one of my buss boys, Miss Doo,” the stallion said in an off-hoof manner. “A Mister Rainbow Blitz, am I correct in this?” Derpy nodded.
“Actually, I have three messages for him,” the derp-eyed mare said. “One from the Diarchy, one from a Missus Prismia Dash, and one from Lord Prism Dash.”
Hard Target glared. “Miss Doo, I have run this casino for over twenty years now, so I know when I’m being fed a pile of horseapples,” the stallion said heatedly. “I do not know what his game is this time, but Rainbow Blitz is going to stay right where he is; working until his shift is over. I will be sure to inform him that your effort failed as soon as I have you escorted to the local police station.”
“Is there a problem here, Hard Target?” a soft voice asked off to the side. The stallion turned and blanched white as he saw that the casino’s current owner had arrived. For the first time since he had seen her, Sweet Breeze wasn’t smiling.
“N-not at all, Miss Breezes,” the stallion stammered. “I just have a buss boy that likes to try and play pranks, that’s all.” Sweet Breeze’s expression went from being impassive to a hard glare.
“Yes, I’m well aware of your problems with Rainbow Blitz, Hard Target. However, that doesn’t give you cause to insult any mail-pony, let alone a Royal Messenger.”
“With all due respect Miss Breeze, Blitz has done things like this before,” the pegasus stammered. “His father had asked me to make certain that he remains where he is until he can learn his proper duty as a member of House Dash. The fact that one of these obviously falsified documents is supposed to be from Lord Prism Dash himself is part of the ploy; I happen to know for a fact that they are not on speaking terms.”
“Think with your head, and not your ass Hard Target,” Sweet Breeze snapped, her tone turning harsh. “Not only is the badge Miss Doo holding up authentic, but I myself received a letter from Prism.” She smiled grimly when the stallion blanched further. “My family’s holdings have long had a connection with that illustrious House, so I have long been in contact with each Lord and Lady that has sat at the head.” The pegacorn stalked forward until she was staring down the diminutive stallion before her. “And for the last time, you don’t work for Blitz’s father, you work for me. Insult another official like this, and you’ll be managing a hotdog stand. Am I clear?” Hard Target nodded before fleeing as fast as decorum could allow.
Sweet Breeze snorted. Her expression softened as her gaze landed on Derpy. “Miss Doo, if you will follow me, I’ll get you sorted out as quickly as I can.” She gestured with a wing towards the open arch that led to the casino’s hotel. “I know that you want to get this done as quickly as you possibly can, so that you can return to little Dinky.” The gray mare blushed a little at that; it was common knowledge that she had more love for her little Muffin than she did for muffins themselves.
Dinky was more distracted than usual. She couldn’t help staring at Sweet Breeze’s horn. “Um, are you a pegacorn Miss Breeze?” the cross-eyed mare asked. Sweet Breeze nodded, smiling.
“Yes, just like my twin sister Swift Breeze. I take it that you’ve never seen one before?” Her smile turned smug as Derpy nodded. “Not surprising; those of us that still live in Equestria mostly keep to ourselves.”
“Well, I don’t know if I can actually say that you’re the first one I ever met. My friend Rainbow is one too. I mean, was one, though she’s now an alicorn princess. She still looks almost the same as she ever did, except for the horn and new Cutie Mark she’s got. I always knew she was special.”
Sweet Breeze laughed a tinkling laugh. “Oh, but you’re at least half right Miss Doo; all alicorns are pegacorns, but not all pegacorns are alicorns.” She turned to the left, where an aging light blue pegasus was working. “Ah, here he is Miss Do. Blitz!”
The stallion lifted his head at that call. “Oh, hello Miss Breeze. I was just finishing up before my shift ended.” He blinked as he got a closer look at the mail mare. “Is that Derpy?!” He quickly made his way over to the pair of mares, giving the now brightly blushing pegasus a big hug. “I haven’t seen you in years! How’s Dinky doing?”
“My little Muffin is doing well Mister Blitz,” the blushing mare said as they broke off the hug. She opened up the mail saddlebag she was wearing, and pulled out the three scrolls. Rainbow Blitz frowned at that, but he took them from the mare.
The first one he opened was the one that was bound by a simple pink ribbon. He sighed as he read its contents. “I told her the last time I wrote her that it would be best if I stayed away. Rainbow doesn’t need a deadbeat father like me around.” He then opened the one that bore the Royal Seal.
His eyebrows tabled as he read the scrolls’ contents. “And where in the hay does she get off telling me what or how I should behave?! I’m here now because it’s the best thing for my family! I get that she’s the Princess and everything, but she’s the Princess; I know better than she what’s needed for my family.” He then opened the last one. This one he read out loud in a state of disbelief.
Rainbow Blitz,
I know that it has been some time- years in fact -since you and I have had nothing but harsh words to say to each other. However, I think it is time that we put aside our personal differences for the sake of our daughters.
Blitz, as much as she might say to the contrary, Rainbow Dash needs her family by her side. Now that she is among the alicorns, she will outlive us all; it behooves those closest to her to spend as much time as they have left with her. Not only that, but my daughter has never stopped loving you. I only pushed you away as hard as I did because of your father.
Happily, that is no longer an issue. You will likely receive word of this soon, but there has been a reordering of our House. Though Rainbow herself can no longer occupy the top spot- for obvious reasons -her position has altered the prominence of her branch of the family tree.
Your father has of course refused to accept it; thus, the rest of House Dash has acceded to the request of Princess Rainbow Prism Dash to have him deposed as a member of the House. His own title as Dauphin has been called into question, and the family has decided that you are a far better fit. Not just for the role of Dauphin, but as Duke of the Gallopagos Islands.
I am well aware that an appointment such as this is going to do little to heat the wounds between us great-great-grandson. However, it is because the House as a whole judged you worthy that you were named to the vacant spot. It has been yours since before you left Cloudsdale in fact; it was my anger at you listening to the stupidity of your old man that held me back on agreeing.
Rainbow Blitz, I hope you truly understand that I never stopped loving or caring about you. I wanted the best for my daughter instead of her happiness; that, in the end, is what is truly important. Please return for her and your daughters, if for nopony else.
In Repentant Affection;
Prism Harmony Dash
Blitz sat back on his rump in shock. His grandfather was legendary for his stubbornness; he never dreamed that he would be willing to both ask for and give any kind of forgiveness. He was just about to reread the letter from his estranged wife when another pegasus mare approached them.
This one was wearing barding in the colors of House Dash, with a badge that had the Coat of Arms of the Gallopagos Islands on it. Rainbow Blitz took the scroll she was holding out in trembling hooves. He opened it and read its contents with an air of disbelief.
Sweet Breeze bowed as he finished. “May I be the first to congratulate you on your ascension to your Seat, Duke of Gallopagos?” she said sincerely. Blitz nodded in a bemused manner, still stunned at his turn of fortune.
Derpy followed suit. After a moment, Blitz shook off his shock and took on an official air as he removed his buss boy’s apron. “Miss Breeze, I’m giving you notice that I’m ending my term of employment here. I have a wife and daughters- as well as a demense -to oversee now.”
Sweet Breeze nodded with a smile on her muzzle. “Go with my blessing Duke.” She then watched- with great amusement -as the trio of ponies all left. “It’s times like this that I just love living in Las Pegasus,” she said in humor. She then turned to finish Blitz’s job, as that was a better way to honor one of the best employees she had ever had.
Equestria, Fillydelphia Train Depot, 06-14-05 A.N.M., 11:42 AM (After Nightmare Moon)
Night Light Armor sighed as he and his wife waited for the train from Filly to Canterlot. She and he had just gotten off the zeppelin when they received official notice that their presence was requested by Her Royal Highness Princess Twilight Amelia Sparkle Armor. He was more than certain that his daughter had little to do with the wording of the missive. Not only was the fact that they were delayed in their business in Prance, but the letters that he and his wife had tried to send to their daughter likely never made it to her. He started scowling at that.
“Still angry at her I see,” Twilight Velvet Sparkle said next to him. He raised an eyebrow at that. “Oh, don’t look at me that way; no matter what you may think, Celestia has always had good reasons to do the things she’s done. She wouldn’t have sent our daughter like that without good reason.”
“That’s just it Velvet! I know from my uncle that her reasons are suspect! What angers me is that he says he can’t go into any more detail than that!” Night Light uncharacteristically stomped his hoof in anger. “Our children were not born to serve Equestria in the manner that they have!”
Velvet clocked her husband upside the head at that. “Night Light, our son and daughter are perfectly capable of making their own decisions. Twilight told me- as I’m sure you know, as you were listening in -that hadn’t it been for her new nature, she would have told Celestia just what she could do with the offer of princesshood.” Velvet sniffed. “Twilight is an alicorn Nighty, just like her mentor. And no matter their faults, alicorns nearly always have the best intentions for us ponies in mind when they do things.”
Night Light rubbed the back of his head. “I know that Velvet; it’s just that I don’t like the fact that she asks so much of Twilight. I get that she does so where Shining is concerned; he’s Royal Guard. But our little girl should be studying to be an artificer, no matter how much her now being a princess makes me proud.”
“Stop talking like your asinine father Night Light Armor,” Velvet said severely. “He doesn’t get to decide what either Twilight or Shining does, and the both of them have already told him that! Honestly, that stallion just about brought down your entire House! Why do you think that your Uncle Great Aegis is Lord of House Armor? Because he knows how things work in both of our families. We as parents guide our children in becoming worthy citizens until they reach adulthood; beyond that, they make their own choices. Our families are nothing like the other noble Houses in that.”
Night Light scowled. “I know that you and Father have had issues, but our family has been artificers for years Velvet. It’s just something we do.”
“Twilight isn’t an Armor Night Light; she takes after my side of the family. We Sparkles always choose our own path in life, and I’ve said as much to that tight-plot you call Father! He only gave his blessing because of the long standing tradition of members of our Houses being so closely bound! And I only accepted out of love for you, and not because of tradition!” Velvet huffed in frustration. “I just hope you at least keep this to yourself; if Twilight catches wind of it, you might just end up spending our visit as a potted cactus.” Night Light scowled at the reminder.
A few years ago, he and Velvet had visited their daughter when she first moved to Ponyville. When he expressed his displeasure that she wasn’t continuing her studies to be an artificer, she told him point blank that she had never been studying to be an artificer. Her efforts had been aimed at an Archmagus position. She also informed him that she would be making her own decisions as to what her job was going to be. She then transmuted him into a cactus. He wasn’t released from the spell until he and his wife got home. “She really needs to learn proper respect,” Night Light grumbled.
Velvet stuck her now-glowing horn in her husband’s muzzle. “Take that attitude, Night Light Armor, and you can spend until I have the divorce papers drawn up as a cactus,” she said in a frosty tone. “As much as I love you, your continued insistence to adhere to ‘tradition and proper forms’ is not how I want our children to be raised. She was old enough then to make her own choices, and she’s more than certainly old enough now.” Velvet then stalked off in a huff.
Night Light frowned before sighing. “I’m only trying to do what I think is right; Father isn’t the only member of House Armor that feels that way. Now that Uncle Aegis is no longer a member of the Council of Eight, things are going to change for the worst.”
“Actually, they just might, and not in your father’s favor,” said a voice next to him. “That is, if your Twilight is anything like my Rainbow; she sounds like she is.” Night Light turned to see a light blue pegasus stallion with a rainbow-hued mane sitting next to him. “Oh, sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. I’ve had similar issues with my old man. I’m Rainbow Blitz, of House Dash.”
“Night Light Armor, of said House,” Night Light grumbled. “I should be angry with you, but it’s hardly fair that we held a very private conversation in a public place.” His brow wrinkled. “Wait, you’re Princess Rainbow Dash’s father, aren’t you?” The pegasus nodded.
“Yes, and I did something real stupid years ago; I left after my youngest was born a filly. I should have stayed, but my old man was bugging me to do the right thing and marry a ‘proper mare’. The only thing was, my wife wouldn’t give me a divorce, and I couldn’t return to her after shaming my family like that.”
Night Light frowned. “You were actually pressured to leave your wife just because Fate made you have daughters instead of sons?” Blitz nodded. Night Light snorted. “What an asinine tradition. Not that the ones my father and his family hold are any better. I was only able to marry my wife because she’s of House Sparkle. They’re the only suitable candidates besides distaff Houses of my own House.”
“More of the same for mine, though it’s really limited to distaff Houses. At least it was; that’s all changed now that those who felt that way are no longer members.” Blitz scratched the back off his head. The movement brought the collar he was wearing to Night Light’s attention. Night LIght blinked.
“Wait, they’ve chosen you as Duke of Gallopagos? I was under the impression that that seat was vacant until the next generation.” The Duke shrugged.
“It was, because the one named to the seat was an asinine bore that had no respect for the ponies there.” Blitz shrugged. “I’m surprised that they were able to accept me, seeing that I’m his son, but they obviously remember me fondly from the time I was living there. They were actually the ones that chose to accept me, especially when they found out just why I’ve spent almost ten years in Las Pegasus.”
Night Light frowned. “So, let me get this straight; your father basically demanded that you abandon your wife, and marry another instead, simply because he wanted grandsons?” Blitz nodded, shrugging. “Glad that the unicorn Houses aren’t usually like that.”
Rainbow Blitz’s brows tabled at that. “Actually, House Dash is a mixed House; we have both unicorn and pegasus distaff clans. I should point out that my father’s views are unpopular to the extreme; our House is one where the top spot is chosen by merit. It’s been that way since before there was even an Equestria; we didn’t get a Seat until the Council of Eight was formed, just after the Nightmare was sealed.”
Night Light frowned at that. “Wait, your House does run on merit; mine and House Sparkle basically used House Dash and House Pensee as an example. Huh, well that’s rich; my own father is basically holding to traditions that aren’t even part of my House.”
“Has there ever been any cases where members of your House have married outside of the Houses?” Blitz asked. Night Light nodded, frowning.
“My grandmother married a member of House Belle; that’s fine though. They’re family as well.” His frown deepened as he recalled just what his grandmother was like. He abruptly facehooved. “And now I know exactly why Papa is the way he is; Grandmother is basically Pony-non Grata in her own House for refusing to dirty her hooves in the meritocracy system.” He smiled sardonically. “I do believe she was even a friend of the late Lady Lemyre. I can’t believe how much of an idiot I’ve been.”
“Yeah, I’m tasting that bitter Humble Pie myself,” Blitz said. He and Night Light chuckled ruefully. “Ah well, if I’m going to fix everything, I might as well get used to it. My Rainbow is not known for holding a grudge, but I really hurt her when I left.”.
“My little Sparkle has had something on her mind lately too, ever since she went North.” Night Light frowned thoughtfully. “Come to think of it, she was talking a lot about your Rainbow Dash even before they went on that journey.”
Blitz nodded. “Same thing with Dashie in the letter I got from her. I think it was just after they got done actually. Seems as though she’s found Somepony Special in Twilight.”
Night Light sighed at that. “And that explains my wife’s anger. It’s one thing for parents to tell their children what job they should do; it’s quite another for them to tell them who they’re able to love. Love does take a proper form, but that form is up to the one that holds it.” Night Light smiled grimly. “I certainly hope my father remembers that forcing that issue won’t go well for him as far as House Armor is concerned; only my small branch of the family holds personal relations with members of the same gender in low regard. The last distaff family to try otherwise was cut off from the House even before Celestia got involved.”
“All this guff about tradition is just stuff and nonsense. I couldn’t even marry the one my father intended, as she married another mare before I was able to propose. And that was a herd proposal, as I wasn’t able to get either a divorce or an annulment. My wife refused the former, and Celestia threw out the latter. Dad was steamed at that, and earned himself a stint at Fort Last Hope for telling her that she had no right to get involved.” Blitz’s smile was sardonic. “He wasn’t too pleased to find out that his hoof-picked mare was in fact gay.” Both stallions chuckled sardonically.
Night Light brightened as he saw his wife returning. He gave the mare a hug, murmuring an apology to her. She quickly thawed. Blitz dawwed a bit at the scene.
The three ponies all looked up as an announcement was heard over the intercom. ‘Final boarding has commenced. This is a nonstop route to Canterlot. All passengers, please have both your tickets and passports- where applicable -ready.’ The two travelling ponies got their passports ready as they saw the conductor arrive in their cabin. All three ponies were shortly confirmed as having paid. The conductor instructed a stewardess to lead them to a more private car once their identities were confirmed. “We’ll have your luggage sorted out as well,” the stallion said.
The three ponies all decided that now would be a good time to get something to eat. While they did so, they started talking about their respective children. Blitz howled with laughter at the tale of what happened when Twilight got her Cutie Mark.
“Since then, my little Sparkle has used that same spell whenever I’ve done something she’s found particularly aggravating,” Night Light said ruefully. Blitz couldn’t speak because he was laughing so hard. Night Light rolled his eyes. “Oh, laugh it up. I’m pretty sure there’s been times that your Rainbow Dash has done something in retaliation for your embarrassing actions.”
Blitz continued to chuckle. “She has, but getting a raincloud of frigid water dumped on you just isn’t as funny as getting turned into a cactus is. I just hope that Dashie sticks to that; with my luck, I’d probably get turned into either a slug or a potted cannabis plant.” He got a thoughtful look on his muzzle. “Actually, probably the plant; my Dashie’s sense of humor is just that twisted when she’s mad. That’s why the water is always frigid.”
Velvet chuckled. “Nice to see that Twilight has found herself such a worthy partner,” she said. The stallions blinked in shock. Velvet rolled her eyes. “Oh come now boys, you were already talking about that. Besides, I’ve known for years that Twilight swung that way. I only had to hear her sigh longingly twice whenever Lyra was around to know which way the wind was blowing.”
Night Light frowned. “Then why didn’t you say anything? I would have put my dear, loving Pater in his place had I known.” Velvet sighed at that.
“Because I wasn’t going to say anything unless she was willing for me to know. I know for a fact that it was nobles like that misbegotten Lemyre and your father that made her hide it for as long as she has,” Velvet said severely. She sniffed. “I wish she had said something at least; I’ve known I was bi for years, so I could have helped her cope.”
Night Light nodded at that. “Yes, I was shocked that you actually accepted it when I first asked you out. I did see that you had your eye on Aria Heartstrings.” He grinned at the fetching blush that that comment brought out.
“Oh, you’re such a tease,” Velvet said. She nuzzled her stallion. “At least, I got a better deal with you. Aria wouldn’t have been with me for long anyway; she was always flighty.” Velvet took Night Light’s hoof and pressed it to her belly. “I certainly hope you can do a better job for these two.” The two held each other tightly, causing Blitz to sigh with envy.
A knock on the cabin door caused the three to raise their heads. The door slid back to admit a lilac-coated pegasus that Blitz thought he’d never see again. “Prismia?” he said in shock. “Is that really you?”
Prismia Dash nodded, wearing a bashful smile. “Hello Blitz,” she said softly. “When I was told that the new Duke of the Gallopagos was on this train, I bullied my way to finding your cabin.” The mare squeaked cutely as Blitz lunged for her. The two collapsed into a hug, causing the other two ponies to chuckle.
“Lord Armor, Lady Dash, it is my great pleasure to introduce the Duchess of the Gallopagos Islands; the Lady Prismia.” Blitz took his wife’s hoof in his and brought it to his lips, causing her to blush every bit as much as she had when he first proposed all those years ago. “My Lady, I hope that we can put the last nine years behind us for the sake of our daughters.”
Prismia frowned at that. “Blitz, I never blamed you, nor did I ever stop loving you. I knew what was going on, and I’ve told Dashie that much. That’s why she’s never blamed you, though it still hurt her when you left. You two were so close.” Another knock at the cabin door caused her to scowl. As it opened, she gave a pithy comment. “If you have nothing good to say to your father, Amber Dash, then you can go right back to the other cabin.” The young mare flounced away in a huff. “Honestly, I should have never let my aunt help raise her; she’s got the same ridiculous notions now that your father had.”
No sooner had she said that then the door once more opened. This time it let in a far more contrite young filly. “Can I at least hug my father? I haven’t seen him in two years, and I do miss him.” Amber approached her parents. They both hugged her, causing Night Light and Twilight Velvet to coo.
The rest of the trip was spent with the ponies all getting to know each other. Though Amber Dash was at first very formal with Night Light and Velvet, she soon changed her tune once she learned how down to Equus they were. She made a pact with herself, then and there; what they all said about her aunt was true. Her father wasn’t the problem; everypony else was.
The end of the trip found a group of ponies that could get along quite well. Not only that, the connection they shared prevented the spirit of suspicion from taking hold, giving them further guard against demonic influence. Thus, a potential way for the Dark One to hurt either Rainbow Dash or Twilight Sparkle was sealed away even before he had a chance to influence it.