//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 // Story: A New Era // by Okami1197 //------------------------------// A few weeks have passed since Maria was found in the Everfree. Rider took the Equestrian Star and set up outpost across Equus. Qi'meen took control of the Prophets Bain and moved it over Canterlot. Qi'meen walked into the infirmary and shook her head at the site of John sleeping in a chair next to Maria. She quietly moved next to her adopted father, "You are going to get sick just sitting here like this." she said to her sleeping dad. She looked at Maria's still form, "I wish you could wake up." she said sadly, "Rider, Dad, and I miss you a great deal. Dad never goes to his room or anyplace else for that mater. He just sits here and watches over you." Qi'meen sat down next to Maria on the bed, "Please come back to us." Maria shifted slightly causing Qi'meen to yelp, and fall off the bed. Maria's eyes started to slowly open and she groaned, "Where am I?" Maria asked weakly. "You are on the Prophets Bane. You have been sleeping for a while now." Qi'meen responded softly, "My dad never left your side once you were here. He wanted to be sure that you were safe." Maria turned her head slowly and smiled when she saw John, "Has he taken care of himself, or did he literally stay by my side?" "He never left. I tried to make him go to his bed but he refused. All he wanted to do was stay here. He likes you a lot you do know that right." Qi'meen said looking at her father. "If he didn't he would have left me." Maria shifted a little, "Could you help me get into more comfortable to wear. This armor is not comfortable when whole. I have an outfit on my peli……. Never mind. Just help me remove the armor. I will go find someone to make me clothes once I can walk again." Maria pulled the blanket from on top of her to reveal a shattered chest plate. "Let me get you a wheelchair, and we can go see Celestia after we get that armor off of you." Qi'meen said with a smile. ---- Dinok and Sky sat in the throne room with Celestia and Luna, "I understand that you don't want to rule anything, but the people of Equestria need to see that the Alicorns are not going anywhere." Celestia said. "No you see our job is to look over everyone here. Mine is specifically to protect Sky from things as she is helping others." Dinok shot back. "He is right Celestia. Those are the reasons that we were chosen to get these powers. I say we join Rider, John, Qi'meen, and Maria defending this world from foreign threats." Sky said calmly. "They are speaking the truth sister. Even though mother and father have passed on, they still have enough power to visit them in their dreams. They have also visited my dreams to tell me that they have a greater role than just ruling our country. They are going to be the ones who reunite the world." Luna said. "I still say they should be crowned as an Equestrian Prince and Princess, but I will leave you two be." Celestia sighed, "Has there been any word on Maria's condition?" As Celestia finished her question the door to the throne room opened and Qi'meen pushed Maria into the throne room, "Hello everyone." Maria said quietly. Sky slowly walked over to Maria and gave her a gentle hug, "Its good to see you again Maria." "Good ta see you too Sky." Maria smiled weakly, "How have things been since I went under?" "Interesting." Celestia said, "Some of the Sangheili have shared technology with us to improve transportation for the ground bound citizens over long distances." "That’s good." Maria said, "I hate to change the subject so suddenly, but I would like to get something other than these clothes to wear. That is not military." "We did actually take your boots off the pelican. Your clothes were a different story because we couldn't find them." Qi'meen said. "Just someone tell that there is a seamstress that can make me some clothes." Maria said. Celestia smiled, "Actually there is one in Ponyville. Her name is Rarity, and she owns the Carousal Boutique." "When shall I be able to head over there? I would very much like to get out of this skin tight suit." Maria said. "I would say pretty soon. Me and Sky are heading back once we are finished here in Canterlot." Dinok said. "Just watch out for Rainbow Dash. She does not know that you were in that explosion. She thinks that you are still on the Equestrian Star. So she might try and attack you when you get there." Celestia warned. "Thanks for the warning." Maria smiled, "But I don't think John would let her anywhere near me if he knew that she had it out for me. Speaking of him, do you think he is still asleep or do you think he is searching the ship for where I am?" "I think you should have woke me up before you left the ship." John said as he walked into the throne room, "I had to ask the bridge personnel about any unscheduled pelican takeoffs." "Well I need fresh air, and I couldn't wait for your sorry ass to wake up." Maria responded playfully. "Hardy har har." John mocked, "So what was this I heard about not letting someone near you?" "We are going to Ponyville, and a certain cyan pegasus has it out for me. So I need you to keep her away while I go talk to Rarity about some clothes." ---- It was a normal day in the Carousal Boutique. Rarity was almost gliding across the floor as she worked on one of her client's orders. Fluttershy was waiting for her to be done so they could take their weekly trip to the spa, "Umm… Rarity, how much longer is this going to take?" Fluttershy asked meekly. "Not to much longer darling. I just have to put the finishing touches." Rarity responded as she cut the thread and stepped back to see her work, "Alrighty then let us be off." As Rarity opened the door Spike ran inside with a letter, "Rarity!" he exclaimed, "The Princesses want you to make something for them. Well not for them but one of those humans." "I don't want any of those barbarians in my beautiful boutique. Spike can you send them a message saying that I do not have the time to make anything? I have to many orders to catch up on." "Well the thing is…." Spike trailed off as he scratched his head, "They are already on their way here from Canterlot." As Spike finished his sentence the engines of a pelican could be heard outside. Rarity huffed and stomped her hooves in the display of her starting to through a tantrum. Princess Celestia walked inside followed by Princess Luna, Dinok, Sky, and Qi'meen who was pushing Maria's wheelchair, "Did we come at a bad time Rarity?" Celestia asked as she turned her head. Rarity shook herself, "Oh no no no, you didn't come at a bad time Princesses." she responded. Fluttershy looked at Maria worryingly, "Oh you poor dear are you alright?" she asked as she got close to Maria. "I am fine. I just need some rest after we are done here." Maria responded. "Rest." Dinok snorted, "You just woke up from a three week long nap and you want to rest." Sky punched Dinok, "She needs to restore her body to how it was. Sleeping that long weakened her." John walked inside the building, "There is no sign of the Rainbow menace." "I do hope your not talking about Rainbow Dash dear, because if she hears you say that there is no telling what kind of barbaric thing she will do to you." Rarity said to the human. "Well for one I don't care and two if she tries anything she will be neutralized in the most painless way I can. I do not wish to hurt her." John replied. Rarity huffed and motioned for him to leave the building. As John walked back outside and closed the door Maria smiled at Rarity, "Could you make me a set of clothes that are similar to ones I was wearing when I first got here? I know that you did not have a chance to study the clothes but I would be more than happy to select the right materials for the job." "I will need to measure you, but I cannot do that while you are in the wheelchair." Rarity said hoping slightly that Maria could not stand so she would not have to make the clothes. "Qi'meen could you help me please?" Qi'meen nodded and lifted Maria's arm over her shoulder and slowly lifted Maria out of the wheelchair, "Thank you." "No problem. Dad would never forgive me if I did not help you while he is outside and unable to do so himself." Qi'meen smiled at the look of anger Rarity was giving her, "I don't think a certain seamstress is happy about this." All eyes turned to Rarity as her white pelt turned red, "I…I don't know what you mean. I am more than happy to help." she forced a smile as she finished her sentence. "Look," Maria said, "If you have any ill feelings towards me fine, but can I explain my actions and why I have not formally apologized for hurting Rainbow." Rarity gulped now suddenly afraid of the weakened woman. She nodded, "Thank you. As for why I hit Rainbow so hard, she would not have stopped coming at me if I hadn't. Don't say she would have because I know how someone with her personality works, she wouldn't. Second of all I will never hurt someone who does not deserve it. She attacked me, so I retaliated. I did feel bad about it, but I will not apologize because she attacked me." Rarity slumped, "I am sorry. I should have asked your side before making assumptions. All I knew was what Twilight told me and the others." "All is forgiven. I did the same thing numerous times during training." Maria said smiling at the unicorn, "But if it is all the same I would very much like to get some new clothes today. Nothing frilly. I hate frilly." "Oh but of course dear. I shall get started whenever you are ready." Rarity said with a sudden change of moods. As she motions towards her work area in the back. ---- After a few hours and rolls of fabric, Rarity managed to make Maria some simple, but functional clothing. Maria's boots were brought to her after she received what could pass for a pair of blue jeans and a simple black t-shirt from Rarity. Suddenly a yell could be heard before Rainbow Dash crashed through the window. When she stood up she looked straight at the barely standing Maria, "You! What do you think you are doing showing your face around here?!" "Now Rainbow calm down. That is no way to treat a customer." Rarity stated sounding irritated. "But she hit me in front of the entirety of Ponyville. How can you be defending her?" Rainbow asked. "Because you assaulted her. You started it like normal. That is how." Rarity responded. "But…" Rainbow started but didn't continue, "Ok. I'll let it slide this time, but if she hits me again I won't stop." "I guess that is the best we will get out of her." Rarity said, "Maria how do you like your new clothing?" "I like it. It fits me perfectly." Maria said as she slowly started to stand more steadily than before, "Would someone please take me to the Prophet's Bane." Maria said before a loud rumble passed by, "I think we have company."