//------------------------------// // Chapter 11 // Story: A Nightmare Come True // by ShadowSprint //------------------------------// Shining Armor stared out over a clearing of ground just south of the Town Hall.  His soldiers had spent several hours clearing the grounds for training the civilian pegasi with his soldiers.  He gazed out, watching his drill sergeants working with the newly drafted pegasi to prepare them for the upcoming mission to Cloudsdale. It baffled the captain how Twilight had done a complete turn-around from where he’d initially left her. Sure, with all the new hooves carrying weapons, his pegasus army had grown five times the size it was before; easily over a hundred pegasi. Many though were stepping up to the plate without having ever swung a sword before.  Some of them were barely adults. “What came over you Princess?” Shining Armor asked himself. He’d been given a week to prep these “weekend warriors” for battle.  Princess Twilight had explained to him that the sooner they get out, the better their chances were of bringing back survivors. Nothing to argue there, but it also meant a small window of training them. The only consolation was that he managed to get Twilight to agree that if Daybreaker made any kind of appearance, all of the soldiers would retreat.  Shining Armor would have flat out refused his sister’s orders if her stubbornness hadn’t at least let up on that. Still, she’s my sister. She understood the recklessness of just jumping into the air. She’s smarter than this. What could have possibly changed her mind? “Well here you are captain,” came a voice from behind. When Shining Armor turned around, he found Rarity standing before him with a wooden cart stocked full of armor and gear for the new recruits. “I do hope they hold together.” Shining Armor breathed a sigh of relief. He’d put a lot of pressure on Rarity to get the uniforms for all the new ponies done by today. They’d already been training for five and a half days, and not having protective gear would’ve placed the new soldiers at a terrible disadvantage. “Thanks Rarity. I’m sorry to have asked you on such short notice, but . . . Twilight’s adamant about this.” Rarity nodded her head in understanding, “Of course she is. Why she’s just doing what I think any one of us would do. But,” and Rarity stepped out beside the captain. She glanced out over all the training. “But I don’t think any of us expected her to do this.” Rainbow Dash was doing just fine with her sword. Rarity already knew the speedster would be fine. It was in her blood after all. Fluttershy though, and even Derpy, those two she worried about. They weren’t warriors.  They didn’t belong down there, but the princess’ decree was very specific: “All able pegasi of age are to participate in a mandatory rescue mission to Cloudsdale. One week of training will be provided along with armor and weaponry.” “I just hope the uniforms and armor I sewed up will hold together.” Rarity said, watching the various winged ponies spar. “I’m sure you did just fine Rarity. Why wouldn’t they hold up?” The unicorn released a long yawn. Her lack of sleep over the past several days finally catching up with her. “Well I’ve never sewed anything quite like this before. Not to mention my sewing machines weren’t designed to handle such thick, tough material. I’m afraid I dulled quite a few needles, and broke a number of others.” Shining Armor sighed as she glanced back to Rarity. “I’m sorry you had to go through so many supplies. I wish I could say I’d replace them. But we don’t really have access to anything outside of Ponyville right now.” Rarity brushed it off. She knew it wasn’t his fault. “It’s nothing to fret over really. I buy my needles in bulk, so it’s not like I’m out. And the experience certainly never hurts. The colors are something left to be desired though. I think I would have went with something a little more . . . avant-garde.” Shining couldn’t help but chuckle at the unicorn’s comment. The uniforms and armor never were kept up-to-date fashion wise. “I suppose they won’t be going on display at your next fashion-walk.” Then a bit more seriously, the captain continued, “The uniforms and gear have to be functional so that they can protect the wearer. I’m just glad you were able to make enough.” Rarity nodded her head. “Do you think they’ll be ready in time?  I’ve never been one for combat, but surely you can’t teach them everything in a week.” Shining Armor shook his head. “No, but we have to try.” Then turning away from the practicing troops, Shining Armor looked gravely down at Rarity and said, “This whole thing doesn’t feel right, Rarity. I don’t know why Twilight suddenly became so obsessed with this idea. It’s not like I don’t understand her but . . .” and the captain had to stop and take a deep breath, “The princess’ job is to protect Equestria, and my job is to protect her. I just don’t want her doing something she’ll regret.”  “I know how you feel. But . . . this is Twilight we’re talking about. She always has a plan for these kinds of situations. We have to trust her.” Rarity said, and then unhooking herself from the cart, she stepped away and said to the captain, “I’m sorry Shining Armor, but I really must be going now. I promised the nurses in Town Hall I’d help them with prepping for injuries . . .” Her voice trailed off. Shining Armor instantly understood and nodded his head, “Of course. Thanks again Rarity.” He said and watched her trot off. Every-pony had to be ready for this battle, even the doctors and nurses. A mission like this was never without its wounded, never without its casualties. I just pray there won’t be many. Shining Armor thought and then hearing the clanging of a sword as it crashed into the ground, the captain glanced up to see which of the trainees were responsible. “Derpy Hooves!” He called out, more than a bit annoyed. The pegasus had struggled with every step of the training, and by all accounts, had fallen behind her peers in learning some of the basics. “How do soldiers hold their weapons?” He painfully watched Derpy juggle the weapon in her hooves, almost dropping it again. After several seconds of fumbling, and an assist from Fluttershy, Derpy finally managed to holster her weapon properly and stood up straight, sweat dripping from her brow. “L-Like this!” She exclaimed. The captain sighed and went back to monitoring the rest of the new recruits. Many had picked up basic sword play, while others showed promise with spears and crossbows. However, there were those select few, such as Derpy, who, no matter how hard they tried, couldn’t quite keep up with the rest of their squad.  Shining Armor forced the thoughts out of his head. He had much more to worry about than his new recruits. When the captain had disappeared behind another row of training soldiers, Derpy lowered her sword and let out a long, exasperated breath. She felt useless with this giant metal sword attached to her waist.  She glanced over to Fluttershy who appeared equally frustrated. At least it just wasn’t her. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this.” Derpy admitted, taking another attempt at drawing her sword. It unsheathed just fine, but the length made it difficult to pull out without hitting herself. “I know how you feel,” Fluttershy said. “But, Twilight needs every-pony’s help to save Cloudsdale. We can’t just give up.” Though she said that, Fluttershy felt her own sword-play skills to be no better than Derpy’s. They’d been sparring partners all week only because the others had since mastered the simpler techniques and moved on to more advanced thrusts and cuts. Derpy looked around, watching the dozens of other pegasi practicing with their swords. They’d been practicing for hours now and she’d just gotten the hang of the horizontal slash. “I just don’t think I’m cut out for this. How am I going to be ready in time?” “By staying on your toes,” came a voice from above them. When both Fluttershy and Derpy glanced up, they saw Rainbow Dash hovering over them.  Probably one of the few ponies that couldn’t wait for the battle to start, sprung down upon them. “You’re never gonna take down changelings like that,” Rainbow Dash announced not just to Derpy, but to Fluttershy as well. “B-But . . . we don’t have any toes. We’re ponies,” Derpy protested. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as she swooped down to the girls, “What I mean is, you gotta be ready for anything. When we get up there, it’s going to be us and against them.” The cyan pony exclaimed, holding up her hooves and making a few boxing motions. “And we’re up there to save some ponies, not get captured . . .or worse.” “W-Worse?” Derpy gulped. Getting the feeling that she hadn’t helped, Dash dropped down onto the ground and said, “Come on. We’re leaving in like, two days to go fight the changelings. You have to be better prepared than this! Otherwise you won’t stand a chance.” Fluttershy sighed. “But we’re not used to swords. Even when we went out to fight changelings in the past, we never had weapons like these.” “Yeah, well we don’t exactly have all the elements to fight with either; so . . .” Dash started, and then moving up to Fluttershy, she helped the yellow pony correctly grip onto her sword. “Derpy, pull out your sword in a defensive hold.” Quickly nodding, Derpy yanked out her sword, and using the grip near her hoof to help hold it in place, she positioned the blade as she had learned earlies. Rainbow Dash then guided Fluttershy’s hooves through the proper motions of holding her sword and of swinging it. “Keep yourself balanced, and the sword at an angle, like this.” Fluttershy watched and nodded, letting her friend guide the movements of her blade. After a few minutes, Dash released her grip from the sword and allowed Fluttershy to attempt it on her own. The animal lover did great, though her sword still wobbled in her grip. Obviously, she was unaccustomed to the extra weight of the blade. Still, progress was progress. “Alright Derpy, you’re turn.” And before Derpy could back away, Rainbow Dash had joined the gray pony and helped her in the same fashion. Derpy took considerably more effort to get on track. Her crossed eyed vision made it difficult to keep the blade straight and away from her face. The more Rainbow Dash worked with her, the more hesitant she became with the two. Both Derpy and Fluttershy were oddballs when it came to battle. Derpy didn’t have the coordination to properly handler her weapons and defend herself.  Fluttershy didn’t have ferocity required for such a fight. With these two flying around up there, something’s bound to happen. Rainbow Dash thought to herself, and she couldn’t spend her time babysitting them either. No-pony could. Everyone needed to be at their best if this was going to work. When Derpy fumbled with her sword yet again, almost cutting herself, Rainbow Dash finally stepped in and said, “Okay girls, why don’t you take a break and uhhhh . . .” her voice trailed off and she glanced around, trying to figure out something for them to do. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Applejack approaching the army with an enormous cart of apples. “Why don’t you take a break and have a bite to eat. I-I’ll be right back.” With that, Rainbow Dash hurried off towards the castle, hoping that maybe Twilight would keep those two out of battle, at least for now. Twilight stood in the main hall of her castle, a small group of earth ponies and unicorns gathering around her. Word had spread fast of the planned mission to Cloudsdale. Of course, with all the pegasi training outside, one would need quite the thick skull in order to be clueless of what was going on. “Princess Twilight,” said one of the ponies, “you just have to make sure your soldiers find Sparky Mint and her family. Why they always used to come by my place before the storms would start and make sure I was safe.” One of the older earth ponies explained, “I’d hate to see anything happen to them.” Another pony chimed in, “And Cinnamon Steam was always fond of Ponyville. For him to be rescued and brought back here . . .” The small crowd heckled Twilight with names and stories of various pegasi whom they believed to be up in Cloudsdale. Twilight attempted to calm the crowd by saying, “Our soldiers are doing everything they can to prepare for the upcoming mission to Cloudsdale.  I promise they’ll rescue as many pegasi as they can.  Bringing as many of those ponies to safety is our top priority.” The crowd of hopefuls cheered at Twilight’s words.  The princess could only smile politely as she listened to story after story of the ponies that needed to be rescued.  While she avoided making specific promises regarding named ponies, Twilight held strong with the notion, “our soldiers and new recruits have been training hard. They’ll be more than ready to fight the changelings, and bring the pegasi to safety.” As Twilight spoke and navigated her way through the crowd, she caught sight of the door on the other end of the hall. Standing awkwardly at the door was Rainbow Dash. The cyan pony looked a tad nervous, and out of place amongst the others.  Compared to the crowd that piled onto Twilight, Dashie looked as though she’d been tossed to the side. Not wanting to keep her friend waiting, especially if it were something important, Twilight turned to the ponies and said, “Thank you all so much for your concern. I’ll be sure to pass on your messages and support to the troops.  If I may, I have other matters I must attend to.” The ponies began to disperse, leaving the castle whilst talking amongst themselves. Letting out a sigh of relief when the herd had parted ways, Twilight trotted over to her friend and said, “Hey Rainbow Dash? What brings you here?” Dash, having been a bit surprised at the attention Twilight had received, couldn’t respond right away. It was this moment that it truly hit her. She was speaking to a princess, and not just her friend.  Of course, Dash had always known Twilight to be a Princess of Equestria, but this was the first time the role had this big of an impact. Lost in thought, Rainbow Dash quickly woke out of her stupor when she noticed her friend’s concerned stares. “Sorry Twilight . . . I guess all the ponies here threw me for a loop.” “They’re worried about friends and family in Cloudsdale. It’s only natural they’d come to me.” Twilight answered. “Yeah, I guess so.” Dash said, hesitant to bring up her problem. Twilight, sensing the pony’s uneasiness, asked, “Something wrong Rainbow Dash? You’re not quite acting like yourself.” “Well, truth is . . . I don’t think Fluttershy and Derpy should be going up to Cloudsdale with us. They’re not making progress with their training, and I don’t think . . .” “Rainbow Dash, have faith in them.” Twilight interrupted. “Give those two a little more credit. They may not be fighters like Shining Armor or even yourself, but that’s okay.” “What?! How? We’re going up to battle changelings remember?” Rainbow Dash asked incredulously. She even flapped herself up into the air, moving her hooves about melodramatically. “Derpy can barely hold her sword, and Fluttershy would have difficulty slicing a flower in half!” Twilight giggled.  “I don’t think they’ll be slicing flowers in Cloudsdale.” Noticing the lack of amusement in Dash’s eyes, the princess continued, “Still, fighting changelings isn’t all that needs to be done on Cloudsdale. Those two may not be your best fighters, but I think together they’ll make a formidable rescue squad. Remember why we’re going up there.” Crossing her hooves, Dash glanced to the side and said, “Yeah I know, but still . . .” “I also need every-pony working together on this.” Twilight explained, walking around the hovering Rainbow Dash. “We need all the pegasi working together if this mission is going to be a success. If some start dropping out, then that’s going to affect our ability to rescue others.” Then getting a bit more serious, Twilight said, “And after all the ponies that I just spoke to, I’d hate to have to go back and tell them we failed.” Sighing, Rainbow nodded and said, “I guess you’re right. It’s not like there won’t be any pony to look after them too.” “I’m sure you’ll all do just fine Dash.” Twilight said. Nodding, the cyan pegasus looped through the air and around the castle. “You’re right,” she said, “everything’s gonna be fine! Sorry I worried you Twilight!” Then without waiting for her friend’s response, Rainbow left the castle. She wasn’t sure anymore what she had hoped to get out of that little meeting, but with Twilight’s refusal, Rainbow Dash had to work harder than ever to make sure both Fluttershy and Derpy would be ready.  Unloading her cart, Applejack passed around apples to the various soldiers and civilian pegasi training for the upcoming rescue mission on Cloudsdale.  Having been out of the loop, she missed the whole obligatory draft that had circled Ponyville. It struck her as odd that even Derpy and Fluttershy were training with the soldiers. They looked anything but military material. When the two came up for their apples, the country pony couldn’t help but bring it up. “Whatcha all doing training with the army for? You two don’t look like the soldiering type.” Fluttershy and Derpy exchanged glances before the animal lover answered in her usual soft voice, “Umm, well Twilight is planning a rescue mission to Cloudsdale and she wants every pegasus in Ponyville to help out.” Quickly catching on to the situation, Applejack asked, “The changelings are attacking Cloudsdale? How in the hay are ya’ll supposed to tell the difference between changeling and pegasus?” This time, Derpy chimed in, “We’re supposed to start with ponies who can prove their identities.  Then branch out from there.” “It’s not like Chrysalis has her full army anymore,” Fluttershy said, “but . . . “But what?” “The training is really difficult,” Derpy admitted. The three stopped and watched as Rainbow Dash zoomed by overhead. She rocketed past them, and landed on the other side of the training field. The three ponies watched the rainbow pegasus for a moment. Of all the draftees, she had the most skill and experience to successfully confront the changelings. Her agility and strength, combined with her fighting spirit, placed Rainbow Dash at a far greater advantage than most of the other pegasi training here. “When is the big fight anyway?” Applejack asked. “About two days from now,” Fluttershy said. “Oh, I hope we’ll be ready in time.” Feeling her friend’s nervousness, Applejack tossed the girl an apple, and tossed one to Derpy as well. “Well I hope ya’ll kick some changeling butt. Eat an apple and keep yer strength up. You’re gonna need it.” Applejack said, “I kind of wish we could all go with ya. Give those changelings a beating and have them running back to where they came from.” Then thinking about Twilight and how she must be doing, Applejack realized she hadn’t spoken to the alicorn since Ponyville got tossed into her lap. “How is Twilight doing anyway?” “Well, I think she’s doing okay. I don’t get to see her that much,” Fluttershy admitted. “We’ve been training out here for so long . . . but from what I’ve heard, she spends a lot of time studying old maps of Equestria and a lot of history books.” Hanging her head, Fluttershy finished, “I don’t think she really knows what to do.” “I can’t say I blame her for that,” Applejack admitted, “So much of this mess has just been tossed into her hooves. I can’t rightly say any one of us would know any better.” Then stepping over to her cart to unload some more baskets of apples, the earth pony said, “Well, I better get myself back to work. The sooner I can get these apples delivered, the sooner I can get back to the farm and buck you ponies some more.” Standing at his post, Tremor observed the going-ons of the castle.  Only a handful of visitors ever entered the place, and many were repeats. The mayor had been in attendance earlier for discussing pony safety and the upcoming mission to Cloudsdale.  Captain Shining Armor would randomly grunt back and forth between the castle and his army. Fortunately for Tremor, the good princess refused to be swayed from her path of rescuing the pegasi from Cloudsdale. And, she took full credit for wanting them up there, never mentioning reliable ole Brawny Hoof. Other visitors included random drive-byes from some of her pony friends, and a small purple dragon that waddled more like a penguin than a lizard. Tremor supposed the little runt was Twilight’s assistant or something. Queen Chrysalis had spoken of Spike, but only in passing.  It peaked his interest though when he had learned the dragon could receive messages via puking fire? The changeling wasn’t entirely sure how to describe the ability. He’d only seen it once, and it didn’t particularly look like a pleasant experience. So that’s how mailboxes must feel. He had thought to himself at the time. Speaking of the dragon, Spike was now waddling towards the door to Princess Twilight’s private office. When Tremor saw the runt approaching, he put on his best smile and seeing the familiar scroll clutched tightly in hand, Tremor inquired, “Another message for the princess? From Princess Cadence again I presume?” Spike shook his head. “Nope. This one’s from Starlight Glimmer.  Just giving a status update on her village for us.” “Starlight Glimmer?” The disguised changeling asked. “Yeah, have you heard of her?” Yes, as a matter of fact I had. Tremor could have growled at the mere mention of the monster’s name. It had been that very pony who’d turned so many changelings against his Queen. “As a matter of fact, I have. I heard she was quite powerful with her magic, that she was the one who reformed all those changelings a while back.” Spike nodded his head. “Yep! That’s her! She’s incredibly strong with her magic too! Probably on the same level as Twilight!” Tremor could’ve slugged the little pipsqueak; talking about Starlight Glimmer as if she were some kind of hero. Because of her, countless lives were destroyed along with the hive, along with Queen Chrysalis. “Where is she now,” Tremor carefully asked, not wanting to sound too eager. “We could sure use another unicorn with that kind of power.” “Up north.” Spike replied, “at her old village, protecting it from Queen Chrysalis and Daybreaker. Though it doesn’t seem like anything’s happened there yet.” Tremor nodded, opening the door for the dragon. “Well I’m sure her writing means she wants Princess Twilight updated as well, and not just me.” The dragon happily agreed to the statement, and Tremor finished, “Princess Twilight should be in there. And if it’s not too much trouble, could you tell her I’m going to stop and see Sunset for a few minutes?” “Of course! Go ahead,” Spike said, and when the dragon had disappeared into the room, Tremor exited the castle and trotted to Town Hall, to Sunset Star.