Rainbow Dash
“Oh, Howdy y’all! Did ya have fun on yer trip?” Applejack said as she woozily leaned up from her spot on the table. She looked like she’d been half taken out of her suit, and her ears had recently-cleaned red stains all around them. Her forelegs looked like a mess of glowing gold light-strings all over and she had a kinda glazed look in her eye, like she was really up there. I can’t say I’m surprised though. Her legs look like they’re being worked on a lot, and they’re really swollen, almost like a balloon. If she wasn’t drugged to hell and back, she’d probably be screaming in pain right now.
“Sugarcube, would ya mind goin’ ta yer room? Ah think it’s time fer a nap,” Celestia said in somepony else’s voice. Possibly the strangest thing I’ve seen today. She went from the royal, crystal-clear, warm, and sweet voice that I’d heard over this new link to something that, were I not aware who she was, probably would’ve made me question whether or not she was really Applejack’s mother. She looked at the Black Knight and motioned him over.
“Ah don’t wanna go ta bed! My friends still need me don’t they? They’re the only ones Ah got, Ah can’t lose them too...” Everypony stopped about dead in their tracks. The pure, almost innocent, sad look on her face was like looking at a lost puppy. I don’t know what’s happened between them so far, but even I felt a little pang of sadness just from hearing that. Celestia sighed and tilted her head to the side.
“No matter how big they get, all ponies are just children in the end...” She picked Applejack up with her magic and then gently laid her on her back, making sure to be careful with her forelegs as she did. “Sorry sugarcube, but you’re not helpin’ anypony like ya are right now. You’ll see yer friends in the mornin’, alright?” She started toward the hallway to the left of this big cylindrical room and Applejack groaned through a yawn. There was a good chance that the princess added some kind of sleeping spell to whatever she was doing to her legs and it was starting to kick in.
“Okay, fine. Yes Ma’am. Sorry y’all. Mom says Ah gotta go ta bed. See y’all tomorrow...” she said as her eye lids started to fall. It was almost funny. Applejack, a full grown mare, a Super hero, the Marevelous Red, was being treated like a child. And somehow… through all this that I know about her, I could’ve sworn she looked like an eight year old on Celestia’s back like that. I mean, the size difference probably helps, Celestia towers over even the tallest of stallions and meets dragons eye to eye, but none of that should make Applejack look so… adorable.
“Begin to treat the injuries you have at the moment. I’ll brief you once I’ve dealt with her,” Celestia said to the group in her normal tone. She took one step forward, then stopped and dead eyed the Centurion. It was almost like the whole temperature in the room started to rise, and for the first time in a very long time, I felt… true fear. Every instinct in my body began to scream at me to run away. “And you. Expect severe punishment if I hear any fighting before I return.” Princess Celestia continued on her path and it was as if some kind of monster had just walked by. The tension in the air could be cut with a knife. Maybe it’s just that I have better sense than most, maybe it’s just that I’ve been around real power for a long time now, but nothing I’ve ever come across was as scary as the princess was just now.
For what felt like hours, nopony moved until finally the Centurion let out a breath and walked to the chair at the head of the table. Everypony else followed suit until finally one chair remained. I figured that that must be Applejack’s chair, so I took the seat since she was clearly going to be out of it for a good while. I got another one of ‘those looks’ from the centurion mare, and she almost opened her mouth, but thought better of it and just looked away. Geez, what the hell is her deal? Have we even met? She wasn’t with them in the foundry…
“Alright, can somepony clue me in as to why she’s so mad at me? Like, I’m not dumb enough to start a fight after a warning like that, but I just want to know what I did,” I asked. Several minutes had passed since Celestia left and nopony had said a word. The blue crystal room was like a foggy ice cave, undisturbed and filled with a kind of misty barrier between everypony.
“Beats me. I’m the most recent recruit as far as this group goes. I’ve only been here about a month now. However, if I had to make an, educated guess, you do kind of have a bad rep. I’ve known your name about as long as I’ve known Marevelous Red. For different reasons, of course,” The Black Knight said. Oh, right. I suppose those things Persona said were jabs at me after all.
“Ah, right. I mean, I guess I’m certainly not the most upstanding citizen out there, but it’s not like any of you have seen my old work. Nopony really should, at least for the last year or so. Besides, I just saved you guys. I figured that would be appreciated more.” I leaned back in the chair and took a look around at each pony’s costume. Something finally struck me when I reached Diamond. I leaned forward and tilted my head. Where have I seen that mane before? It was violet, and very well maintained, especially for somepony who has a hint of real experience in her eyes. Her coat is also exposed in a few places, specifically her well groomed chest which I can only imagine she uses to attract, or misdirect stallions. She’s not quite as shapely as Applejack, but she’s certainly pretty. Even the way it shines is familiar… I know I’ve seen you before…
“Can I help you? I know I’ve always told myself I’d keep an open mind, but you’re really not my type,” she said with a laugh. Rude. Wait, that’s it!
“I do know you! You’re the older sister!” Her name is Rarity Belle, and she runs that shop on the other side of town. She’s Sweetie Belle’s sister, caretaker, guardian, whatever.
“You do realize that by saying that, you’ve exposed yourself right?” I shook my head.
“Only to you though. By my basic assumptions here, you and sleeping beauty already knew who I am. As a matter of fact, you knew back at the harbor fight, didn’t you?” I asked.
“And what brings you to this conclusion?” She replied. I huffed.
“It’s rude to answer a question with a question, but I’ll humor you anyways. Tipsy puts a lot of trust in you. Out of all of these guys here, you’re the only one she hardly ever gives orders to. On top of that, based on the relationships outside of this place, it’s safe to assume that you’ve known her the longest.” She crossed her hooves.
“But how does me not receiving orders clue you into that? Our other relationships aside, I doubt that alone could tell you much.” She asked. I nodded.
“This is true, so I’ll give you a hint. Of those who show their eyes in this room, you, Blur, and Centy over there, you’re the only one who’s truly got any experience in them.” Her expression went from intrigued to apathetic. On the nose.
“I suppose this conversation is over then,” she said as if she were tired, then just tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling.
“Experience? In her eyes? What does that mean?” Blur asked.
“With any luck, you’ll never learn. I suggest you not inquire more.” She tilted her head and frowned.
“I-I don’t even have to know w-what your eyes look like to know t-that you’re more experienced than anypony o-other than me at this table. D-don’t act so high and m-mighty,” Target said. Fluttershy… She gives off such a nasty feeling, like the beast is on beck and call now. The voice and the stutter she carries sound the same as they used to, but it feels like I’m talking to a completely different pony. She reminds me of a mass murderer, and not one who’s killed just a hooful of ponies… and based on those rumors… there’s not a doubt in my mind anymore that she really did commit all those atrocities.
“And then there’s that question. What happened to you, after I left all those years ago? Or really, how did this happen?” I gestured at her outfit with my hoof. “You weren’t this twisted, and you certainly didn’t give off a feeling like that back then. I got into this business because I had to survive. Isn’t your family still around? What… I just don’t understand how you came to be this way.” Behind the mask, I could feel a burning stare. She removed her hat and mask and set them down on the table in front of me. Now that I could see her face, she looked almost as I remembered her… and that puberty had been very, very kind. What the hell is with this group? Rarity is at least an 8, she could pass for a super model now, and Applejack is like the ideal. Why are they all so pretty? A memory triggered in my head once I met her eyes, and I looked deeper to find that the monster was still there.
“W-Who knows? T-They might be, they m-might not. I-I’m not all that concerned either way. W-What’s your excuse, hmm? Y-Your parents were so h-heart broken that they m-moved across the country. Y-You were their only miracle, and t-they certainly wouldn’t b-be getting another one, what with your m-mother’s infertility.” She tilted her head up and smiled at me, those fangs still eerily front and center. “Y-you know what I think? I-I think you’re just a-afraid to see them. Y-You’re afraid that they’ll r-reject you for what you’ve become. I-I’ve come to terms with w-what I am, and if fate has in s-store, then I’ll run across m-my family once more. B-but you? Y-You’re just a coward.”
“I guess you’ve also become an uppity bitch too!” Her smile only widened. She opened her mouth, but in an instant, the Black Knight blinked behind her and popped her across the head.
“O-ow, you’re wearing greaves!” she complained while rubbing her head.
“And you’re trying to start a fight. Cool it with the taunting. Goddess forbid, we actually get on the boss’ bad side.” he reprimanded. She smiled and stuck her tongue out at him. He popped her in the forehead. “Don’t get cute with me.”
“O-Oh, I don’t have to worry about being cute. I-I’m pretty sure most of us know that y-you wouldn't take anything but a piece of that sweet apple pie♥” She still had that look on her face, and I could almost swear that there was a hint of red in those green-blues of hers. The knight's demeanor shifted. He was really angry.
“That would be enough. You take your seat, and you keep your mouth shut, understood?” Celestia said from the hall. Holy crap, I didn’t even hear her hoof steps! Could she have snuck up on me? Without so much as a sound, I felt very soft hair rub up on my shoulder.
“I could have…” She whispered in my ear. My body just froze in place. She was in the hall less than a second ago. And… And she’s so big! How could she… What is she? “Now then. Allow me to make myself very clear. Nopony is to fight in the same building with me. You can solve your petty squabbles in the training hall. This is a place of unity and common bond, and soldiers of mine act as one. Grudges are left at the door.” She stood behind the Centurion and something caught my eye. Their eyes are so similar… that’s not just a coincidence either. Their horns have the same structure too…
“I see that you’re already making connections, so I suppose we should move this forward. The Crow has stated that she wishes to join this operation. She now knows too much, so we can proceed one of two ways, and no matter how you choose, the Major will have the final say.” Celestia stated. The Black Knight put his hind legs up on the table and leaned back against his chair.
“Then I don’t know what you want us to do. I could bet my life on her wanting the Crow in. Hell, she’s already said as much.” Celestia raised an eyebrow.
“Has she now?” Diamond nodded.
“She has. She’s even discussed this with me personally before. As for my opinion I believe that the information she has will be of great value to us, not to mention her skill as a fighter. Personality traits and previous history aside, I trust Applejack’s judgment more than anything else. I say we let her in.” Previous history? What is that supposed to mean?
“Very well then. I believe you said the two of you know each other?” She was listening? Not only is she a damn mind reader, but her senses are excellent too. I suppose you don’t get called the Radiant Sun for no reason… She turned her head and smiled at me.
“I believe it would be wise of you to keep that little nickname to yourself. I’ve tried so very hard to get rid of it, and I wouldn’t want it to surface again.” Her tone sickeningly sweet, it almost felt like a carnivorous plant drawing in it’s prey. I shivered.
“Y-Yes ma’am…” She nodded and then turned back to Rarity.
“Our younger sisters, Mine and Applejack’s, are friends with hers, though I don’t believe they’re blood related. We’ve met a few times picking up and dropping off our sisters at each other’s homes.” The princess nodded and then turned to Fluttershy.
“I see. And you?”
“A l-long, long time ago, we were c-childhood friends. I-I didn’t realize who she was the f-first time we met, b-but I had a feeling I knew her. I-It was confirmed when I got a b-better whiff of her scent at the harbor. I-It was a little strange because it has changed since then, b-but I suppose that was because of her p-powers coming to fruition. T-That or… something else, b-but… you and I both know w-what that is, don't we miss experienced♥” She cooed. I could swear she was just egging me on on purpose.
“Oh? Is this hostility I detect?” Celestia asked. Fluttershy smiled and shook her head. She put her elbows on the table and rested her head on her hooves, staring directly into my eyes, even though she shouldn’t be able to see them with my helmet on.
“N-Not at all. I-I’m just checking to s-see if she’s changed after all t-these years. H-Honestly though? Nothing really has. I-I’d still trust her, even if she d-did cut me in the face a l-little while back.” A thought crossed my mind and I think I finally know what happened to her.
“I see. And then Goose, I’d like your opinion. Even if Applejack deems her worthy, I’d prefer to hear what you all think on the subject before giving her the okay.” The Black Knight looked at me, then back to Celestia.
“Personally, I’m not too sure about this. If she betrayed Persona then what’s to say she’ll keep loyal to us? I mean, all she’s got is her word, and as I said earlier, she has a pretty brutal track record. Once upon a time, we were hired to give asylum to a foreigner who had some information regarding a particular underground trade. All we had to do was keep him for a week and deliver him to… well, if he figures out I said this he’ll come after me, but a stallion you surely know who goes by the name the Crystal Lord.” Celestia nodded, and now I knew where he was going with this. Oh, goddess damn it.
“The guy didn’t last two days. The Bloody Crow had been hired by a rival to take him out, and she did her job. She also killed one of my guys who happened to be keeping watch that night. We found their bodies cut into sections in pieces and the word crow written neatly in their blood. You remember what I’m talking about right? By the way, his name was Ten Proof, and all he wanted to do was be a baker,” he just about spat at me. I rolled my eyes.
“Look, that was two years ago, and I was in a much worse place then than I am now… or was a week ago anyways. I needed the money. I was desperate. I’m sorry for your loss, but all I did was my job and he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, alright?” The Black Knight puffed air out his snout.
“Yeah, well, sorry doesn’t bring him back,” he shot. After a pause though, he dropped his head and sighed. “But really, I’m no better. I just wanted to say that just to get it off my chest. I’m still not sure whether or not I should give you my trust just yet, but if it’s gonna make her life easier to have you around, then I’d rather it be that way.” Huh. Shows where your loyalty lies.
“And you Blur?” Celestia prompted.
“I uh… really don’t have much of an opinion honestly. I don’t know enough about her to make a judgment on her character, and I didn’t know who ‘The Bloody Crow’ was until that thing at the foundry happened last month. She is pretty strong to go toe to toe with Marevelous though. I think it’d be nice to have somepony like her around, and our pasts are all a little bloody, so what’s the difference? If we didn’t give her a chance, then why are any of us here anyways?” Celestia nodded.
“Quite a point to make. Now then, what about you?” Celestia looked down at the mare beneath her. The centurion looked up and then back at me, then at the wall after crossing her hooves.
“I still don’t like it. I’ve seen what she’s done to ponies before, and she almost paralyzed one of Rarity’s legs. Somepony who laughs when they kill another shouldn’t be here,” the centurion pouted. Fluttershy covered her mouth with her hooves and started giggling.
“Hehe… I-I guess I’ll just h-have to leave too. Hehehe…” Ugh, how did you get so creepy? The Centurion rolled her eyes.
“Will you cut that out? What’s gotten into you lately anyways? You’ve been acting weird ever since this morning.” Oh. I bet she doesn’t know. The yellow pegasus only smiled wider, her teeth as a whole seeming almost sharp now.
“A-acting weird? W-what ever do you mean? I-I’ve always been this way.” The princess stared her down again.
“I believe you and I had a conversation this morning, did we not?” Celestia said, that kinda scary part of her slowly working its way back to the forefront.
“We did! B-But something’s changed, and I-I don’t know how to fix it! T-That Israfel mare was a l-lot like me, and once I-I saw her in action, s-something clicked inside.” She turned her eyes to me and then pointed. “S-She knows too… I-If I had to guess, s-she’s probably seen this before, r-right?” Fluttershy said, in a strangely excited tone.
“Maybe I have. I might even know how to fix the problem. But I have a condition.” Here goes nothing…
“Hmm… I see you’ve figured something else out too. You’re not in a position to make demands, but I suppose we could do you a favor depending on what it is. State your terms.” Well, that settles that. She uses about the same kind of link as Brightness does to listen in on my thoughts, but I bet she does it with magic. Good thing I learned how to shut her up a while back, the trick works here too.
“I… don’t have a home right now. And as Rarity said, I also have a little sister. I worked for Persona for the last year, and I know what he’s capable of. If he figures out where she is, he’ll have her killed faster than he can write a check. I need a safe place for her to stay, and as far as I’m concerned, this place is about as safe as it gets.” I started.
“You want us to take in the both of you?” Celestia asked.
“Yes. My… partner is in too deep right now to do anything herself, and If I lose her, then I lose my advantage on Persona, meaning you lose your advantage on Persona.” The Centurion was about to object, but then Celestia put a hoof over her mouth. Her face became cold an unreadable.
“If this comes to pass, you do realize that your little sister will essentially become my property, correct? The ponies around you are all in an information class which holds them hostage to me. I’m not above using the tools I have available, and I’m certainly capable of setting ponies I own on paths I want them to walk. Are you prepared to sell you and your sister’s freedom for the safety of another day? Are you willing to give up her life without her consent?” She asked.
“I…” I started, but Celestia interrupted.
“I suggest you think carefully about this. If I find that she has a talent where I am lacking a useful pawn, then she may very well become my new pawn for the rest of her life. A dog of the military, a hoof of the princesses, a blade of the sun. For all you know, your sister might even have similar talents to yourself and I could easily put her on a path soiled in crimson. Is sending her to the world you lived in worth the guarantee that she lives another day?” Celestia asked. A thought crossed my mind and I started to laugh.
“You know, it’s kinda funny you say that. A few years back, she met these two other fillies and after they became friends, they all got their cutiemarks at the same time. They share an identical mark, bearing a tricolor shield with symbols inside on their flanks. When I first saw it I was terrified. ‘What happens if this means she wants to go into the military? What happens if she gets strong and ends up sent off to war? If she carries a shield in her destiny, then what’s to say she won’t die defending somepony?’
I tried my hardest to keep her from learning how to fight or trying out disciplines because the more she knew, the more my fears had a chance of coming true. A few weeks ago, I finally gave in and let her join the Junior Guard troupe at her school because I realized something. Keeping her caged and trying to hold her from what she wants to do isn’t letting her live her own life. You’ve been trying to intimidate me with your words, but there’s something in your speech that bothers me. Somepony who uses others like things would never ‘put somepony on a path’ because… if they did that, then that still gives that pony the freedom to walk it.” Her cold demeanor begin to warm and her face formed a soft smile.
“You’re very clever, aren’t you?” Celestia let out a laugh and nodded. “Very well. We’ll take you both in. This castle has no shortage of space and the salary you earn working for me could easily feed the both of you.”
“Bu- What!? You can’t just-” the Centurion objected.
“I can, I will, and I am,” Celestia said as she leaned next to her.
“Ugh.”
“Please retrieve the scroll, Twilight.” The centurion sighed and slowly started to walk down a hall behind and to the right of her. “Once she returns and we have the contract signed, you may retrieve your sister and bring her here. Once Applejack wakes up… which should be in a few hours, considering her astonishing recovery rate, then we will host an introductory party, where you’ll tell us your story, and they will tell you theirs. I shouldn’t have to say that the things you hear will be extremely confidential and you will be severely punished for talking about them.” I nodded.
“I understand, and she will too. She and her friends want to go into the military as it is, so she might just see this as taking a step into a solid future. I’m sure she’ll be ecstatic to meet you anyways.”
“Good. Now then, as I said, this is a place of unity and common bond. The first step to joining Harmony will be showing us your face and telling us your name.” My name, huh? I took off my helmet and pulled down my mask, shaking my head to get my mane free of my clothes. “That’s quite a unique set of colors you have there,” Celestia remarked. I nodded.
“Yeah, it makes being inconspicuous pretty hard. But uh… I lost the name I was born with a long time ago. So… you can call me Rainbow Dash.”