Race 11: Future threats
Equestria 4:
In her formless form, Princess Celestia probed the spaces in between for some weakness in the featureless void that was her lunar prison. She had spent a decade in a fruitless search. Every time she tried something, her sister's magic was there to thwart her. This time, however, there was no counter to her move. Celestia froze, feeling for the slightest hint of a response. Hyperaware, she could detect nothing. Her non-corporeal form didn't even have a heartbeat. Could it be a trap? Celestia decided to wait, just to be certain.
Weeks passed. There was no response. Boldly, Celestia used the last of her stored energy to shatter the Nightmare's shield and vault to the Forbidden Forest, well away from the castle. As she became reacquainted with a physical body, she scented the ambient magic. There was something seriously wrong. An alicorn should have left a trace. Could it be that Nightmare Moon, her corrupted sister, was dead?
“This doesn’t make any sense” said Celestia, extending her wings, and flying to her old Palace.
Bold as brass, Celestia strode into the main entrance. In addition to the expected fields of black and purple, the walls and decorations now sported defiant streaks of rainbow hues. There was a muted hue and cry among the servants as she made her way to the throne room. "Princess Celestia? Oh, Princess Celestia!" they cried in despair.
Celestia nodded in acknowledgement. "Be at peace, my little ponies. All will be well." She exuded confidence as she entered the chamber.
She shrank back for a moment as the Nightmare glared at her from a gilded perch. Seeing no reaction from her sister, Celestia moved for a closer look. There was no trace of life in the display. In fact, it appeared to be cobbled together from bits of charcoal and cinder. A small plaque hung from the horn. It read, "Present, but not voting."
Rarity, the palace's majordomo, rushed to the Celestia's side with fear in her eyes. "You must leave, quietly! Don't wake her; she hates to have her nap interrupted! Please, princess, it's your only hope!"
Celestia was about to reply when she felt a disturbance in the ambient magic. There was a powerful pegasus nearby, but there was something else, too, something not of Equestria. She spun around. A blur of black with cyan and rainbow-hued streaks sped by. It resolved into a cyan pegasus in a black body suit. Her short-cropped rainbow mane and tail stuck out through openings in the suit. Tiny, multi-colored lightning bolts coursed around her body. She wore magenta goggles, and on her flanks were stylized tri-colored lightning bolts.
With a tone that matched her annoyed expression, the pegasus said, "Who dares disturb your beloved Queen of Speed during her mid-morning nap?!"
Celestia could feel the evil glare burning through the magenta lenses. The queen's scowl twisted into leering grin. "Well, well, well! Look who finally decided to show up and steal all the glory! Where were you when we needed you the most, your highness?" asked Reverse Dash. "I took care of your useless sister; you're not even half the pony she was."
Celestia shivered at the eerie laugh. With her magic spent, the Princess of the Sun looked like the avatar of famine. Centuries of experience hid any further hint of fear. She looked Dash in the eye and said, "Who are you?"
"I'm the new queen, the Speed Queen. Bow to me and swear your loyalty, or you can be my new bookend."
Celestia frowned. "You killed my baby sister. YOU KILLED MY BABY SISTER!?"
Reverse Dash shrugged. "Yeah, and now I'll have to kill you, too."
For a moment, the chamber glowed as brightly as the sun as Celestia called on the last of her power.
When her eyes cleared, she found Dash in front of her wearing a bored expression. "Are you stupid or what? These goggles aren't for show!"
Panting, Celestia replied, "Kill me, and you'll seal your own fate."
The others in the throne room fled as a black blur with cyan and rainbow streaks surrounded the weakened alicorn. Pegasus magic could be felt for kilometers around. The blur stopped, revealing Celestia frozen in a block of ice. Dash said, "You know, I had this big speech all worked out for this. But, you're just not worth the effort." She picked up a sledgehammer with her mouth and swung with super speed. She shouted around the handle. "I!" Smash. "HATE!" Smash. "ALICORNS!" SMASH.
Reverse Dash yelled, "Rarity! Call up that griffon taxidermist! Find someone who can do puzzles!
Rarity and the other servant trembled as they re-entered the throne room.
Rarity gulped, but still bowed to her Queen. “As you wish, you Highness!”
“Cool! Now, is my lunch ready? Your Speed Queen is starving!”
The servants didn’t say anything about the mess; they still had to work hard to please their queen. She didn’t tolerate delays at all.
Equestria 1, Blue Blood’s mansion:
The stench of sweat hung heavy in the air as Rarity failed to riposte with her forehoof. Blue Blood's blow caught her solidly on the jaw, sending her reeling. Her matted coat hid innumerable bruises, and her left foreleg could barely take any weight. She slowly rose to her hooves and defiantly said, "Bring it. I didn't come here to give up."
“I think that’s enough for today” said the prince helping her to stand. “You’re progressing really fast, but we don't want to take you past your limits.”
Rarity smiled shyly as she looked at their reflections in the mirrors that lined the walls of the private gymnasium. “I suppose you're right. Still, I must thank you; I've only been able to go so far because I have the best of teachers."
“The best teachers are Mother Nature, and your own survival instincts,” said Blue Blood coldly. “Do not ever forget it.”
Rarity nodded. "Of course. I'm just blessed to learn what you have in a safe environment."
Blue Blood watched with concern as Rarity limped up the stairs. They entered a sitting room where Rainbow Dash was surrounded by a battalion of origami figures. They ranged from the simple, like a frog or a crane, to the elaborate, like a scorpion that took three sheets of paper. The pegasus wrinkled her nose and turned to face them. "No offense, guys, but you stink."
Blue Blood groaned. "The guest bathroom is five doors down, to the right."
Rarity marveled at the assortment. "My, someone has busy wings. When did you learn to do this, Rainbow Dash?"
With a shrug, Rainbow Dash replied, "“I don’t know, like, five minutes ago.” She hoofed over a book. "This is cool! I memorized this thing in a second, and I mastered it in a minute!"
“Basic speedster powers,” explained Barry. “So, are you going back to Ponyville now?”
"We're done for today," said Blue Blood as he used his telekinesis to pick up an apple from the table. He sat on his haunches and savored a bite of apple. Swallowing, he turned to Rarity. "I don't want to see you for two days, okay? I'm going to be busy!"
Rarity looked at him sharply. "You're not going to kill anypony?"
Blue Blood rolled his eyes, annoyed. “Barry is my designated babysitter. Satisfied?”
Rarity growled, "Blue Blood . . ."
"Look, I've already agreed to teach you to defend yourself. The least you could do is stay out of my way until you can hold your own. Besides, you need to let your body recover."
Rarity lowered her head. "You do have a point, darling. I'll sit this one out."
“Don’t worry about it, Rarity! I’ll be watching him, too!” assured Rainbow Dash. “As long as I’m at his side, I’ll make sure that he doesn’t kill anyone.”
Blue Blood glared at the chromatic pegasus. "Do not get overconfident; that could be your last mistake. You saw what happened to Allen when he thought he had mastered his powers. That should be ample warning." Without saying another word, he stormed off to his room and locked the door.
"The boss sure is a character, isn't he," said Barry, jovially. The smile ran from his face. "He is right about overconfidence, Rainbow Dash. That lesson cost me my father, and it nearly cost me my adoptive father, Joe, as well.
“I’ll do my best, Barry” said Rainbow Dash.
Rarity couldn’t help but giggle at this. After obsessing with the Flash, in a negative way, Rainbow now seemed very close to him. However, there was something that Rarity needed from the Flash. She said, “Barry, darling, would you mind stopping by Carrousel Boutique with your suit?”
“Huh? Sure, but, why?”
"Because Rainbow Dash asked me to make her a speed suit, but I'm afraid that nothing I know how to do can stand up to that sort of stress. I was hoping to get some ideas from one that works."
Barry smiled kindly. “I would love to, Rarity, but the suit was designed by my scientist friend, and . . .”
“I know, Cisco Ramón. I saw him on your memories. I'm not a scientist like him or Caitlin, but we use magic where you use science. Fabrics are my life; I'm sure I'll be able to see what he did."
“Okay then. Hey Rainbow, wanna race up to Ponyville?”
"Just a sec; there's something I have to do first."
Rarity didn't even have time to shriek when she was assaulted by a cyan blur with rainbow streaks. Grinning, Rainbow Dash held up a mirror. Rarity's jaw dropped; she was now clean as a whistle, but her fur, mane, and tail stuck out, making her look like a puff ball. Rarity took the mirror in her magic and continued to examine the disaster of a hairdo.
“Now I'm ready! But you're the one who gives Rarity a ride, okay?” With that, she disappeared in a multi-colored streak.
Barry smiled. “Shall we go to Ponyville, then?”
Rarity groaned. "Let me make myself presentable, first."
"I've got that covered." An orange and blond streak surrounded Rarity. This time, when Rarity looked in the mirror, her fur was back to normal, but her mane and tail were done up in elaborate bouffants. Barry laughed nervously. "Maybe I overdid the curls a bit. So, are you ready?"
Rarity gulped as she nodded. She had seen enough of her lunch after the first two rides from speedsters. Perhaps the third time would be the charm. Gingerly, she mounted Barry's back.
Barry trotted outside before taking off, accelerating at reasonable pace. It took some time, but after a few minutes, they were travelling much faster than the Canterlot Express. The deceleration was equally gradual, including a few circuits of Ponyville to bleed off speed.
Rarity ignored the wolf whistles as they landed in front of Carousel Boutique. She said, "Thank you, Barry. You really know how to treat a lady."
"After that session with Boss Blood, the last thing you needed was a full-speed ride."
"Thank you for your concern, darling."
Rainbow Dash pulled the door open. "What took you guys so long? I've been waiting for ten minutes! Ten whole minutes! This was supposed to be a race! I thought I was going to die of old age!"
Barry shrugged innocently as Rarity dismounted. She said, "He conceded when he saw what shape I was in. I think I would have had a heart attack if he had flown as fast as you."
"Besides, Rainbow, the toughest part is control, not speed," explained Barry patiently. "That's the most important lesson you can learn."
Rarity noticed something missing. “Oh, Barry, your suit!”
“Oh, I forgot! I’ll be right back!” He was well away before his image could fade.
Just as Rarity and Rainbow Dash were about to settle down in the showroom, the Flash joined them. Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped. Could she really go that fast? She'd never admit it, but Barry had managed to go to Canterlot and back in less time than it had taken her to fly from Canterlot.
In a thrice, Barry stood in front of his student, carrying his suit neatly folded on his back. Noting the pensive look on her face, he said, "Take it easy, Rainbow. You're doing great! Remember, you have to crawl before you walk."
Rainbow Dash pouted. “You're only saying that to make me happy."
“No, I mean it. You’re progressing really fast. In no time, you'll know everything I can teach.”
“For real?”
“Yeah, you’ll become the fastest pegasus alive, and I’ll go back home to Central City.”
Rainbow Dash froze at the statement. She was lost in thought for half a second, more than an hour in speedster terms. She knew it was only a matter of time before Barry would go back to his home, but before, that time had seemed so far away. The full weight of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks. It wouldn't be long before it was Barry's time to leave for home.
Suddenly, Rarity interrupted her thoughts. “As I suspected, it will take a while to replicate this material, but I think I could do something with a couple of spells.”
“Cool!” Barry smiled. “If you manage to copy this suit, I’ll tell Cisco. I’m sure he’ll love the idea of his creation being replicated with magic.”
Crystal Empire, that night:
Steel-shod hoofbeats reverberated and echoed down the long crystal passageway as Prince Shining Armor wrapped up his nightly inspection. Despite his new-found nobility, he insisted on having his former duties as captain of the guard transferred with him to the Crystal Empire. He made of point of greeting every guard he passed, regardless of their duty assignment. It warmed his heart to see that centuries in magical exile had not dampened their enthusiasm or their devotion.
This final stretch was his favorite. It was the Hall of Heroes, where fallen greats were immortalized in stone. The door behind him closed with a distinct click, and he smiled inwardly at the thought of his wife Cadence waiting for him in their private study. Although she was sure to have finished her paperwork long before he arrived, she always watched patiently as the tied the red tape that was necessary to keep a bureaucracy running.
As was his habit, he came to a complete stop and saluted the guard at the door. The guard continued staring straight ahead; a small blue dart protruded from his neck. Shining Armor dove to his left, evading an arrow that embedded itself in the door at what had been head height.
He yelled, "Guards!" as he telekinetically yanked on the bell pull. Muffled cries of frustration came from each end of the hallway. A synchronize thud came from the doors as the guards tried to break their way in.
Shining Armor scanned the hallway, but the lights all went dark. A distorted voice seemed to come from all directions. "I mean you no harm. We need to talk."
Shining Armor sent stun blasts in either direction of the hallway; they splattered harmlessly on the doors.
The voice continued, "Please. Canterlot is suffering."
Cadence opened the door. The pale blue aura of her shield was a counterpoint to the magenta of her husband's. "What's going on?" she asked.
The voice replied, "Corruption. Look at your door."
Cadence extended her shield and unwrapped the scroll tied to the shaft. "I don't get it. What are kilos? Why would anyone bother moving things through the Yakyakistan frontier? The train's a lot faster."
The sound of simultaneous facehooves echoed through the hallway. Shining Armor extended his shield around Cadence. "Maybe you should let me see that, dear." He pored over the scroll. "Wait a minute. Are you trying to tell me that most of the illegal drugs in Equestria are coming through here? How?"
A second arrow slid to a stop against Shining Armor's shield. Again, he extended his shield and examined the attached scroll. "This is just one of my routine requisition requests for replacement armor. That stuff doesn't last long in extreme cold."
Cadence touched a forehoof to the wall. The hall suddenly came alive with a soft glow. She and her husband caught a glimpse of a blue-hooded figure just as he released another arrow. Instinctively, Shining Armor pushed Cadence to safety. The arrow shattered against the shield, leaving an opaque film. Shining Armor sent the film flying down the hall and erected another shield. When his vision had cleared, the figure was nowhere to be seen.
Cadence re-entered his shield, looking somewhat shaken. She asked, "Do you know who is behind this?"
The Arrow's voice again seemed to come from all directions. "There are rats in the frontier patrol. Prince Armor, what do you do with the broken equipment, the armor that wears out?"
Frowning, Shining Armor answered, "It's sent to the foundry for recycling."
“Where is that located?!” asked the Arrow.
“In Canterlot! Why?”
"Because that's how they're smuggling the drugs into Canterlot. Who would expect a few hundred kilos of drugs hidden under a ton of scrap metal? They're hiding their shipments in plain sight."
"How did you get this information?"
"I've interrogated dozens of drug dealers. They all say that someone untouchable in the Crystal Empire is behind all this."
Shocked, Cadence said, "We can't go around questioning the aristocracy and the nobility. They'd have the citizens up in arms."
The Arrow replied, "I know. But now that we know how they're moving the drugs, you can keep them from going any further. That'll hit them where it hurts the most, their pocketbooks. That might flush them out into the open."
Shining Armor's frown deepened. "What makes you so sure this will work?”
"If we act alone, they'll outmaneuver us. If we work together, we can stop this operation for good. Cut off the shipments, and I can take care of the rest."
The tinkle of shattered glass filled the chamber as the Arrow shot a grapnel arrow through a skylight. As he attached an ascender rig to his bow, Cadence shouted, "Why should we trust the masked vigilante of Canterlot? What's in it for you, Arrow?"
The Arrow sighed. "Redemption. Four years of Tartarus were more than enough for me to realize just how badly I failed Equestria." With that, he activated the ascender. A mechanical whir filled the hallway as he was whisked away.
Confused, the co-regents of the Crystal Empire looked at each other. Cadence's eyes opened wide. She whispered, "Blue Blood?"