Rebel Against the Night
By
CrossoverManiac
Code Geass is owned by Sunrise, Inc. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is owned by Hasbro and created by Lauren Faust. This is a fan-based work not intended for commercial purposes. Character thoughts are italics.
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Chapter 14: The Most Awkward Night Ever
Sugar Cube Corner was packed full of patrons and pastries. While it wasn't uncommon for the bakery to host birthday parties for foals, what was out of the ordinary was the guest of honor-Princess Celestia herself.
“I understand from Twilight's letters you enjoy tending to the needs of woodland creatures,” said Celestia. As the princess was speaking with Fluttershy, Applejack paced back and forth nervously.
“Yes,” Fluttershy replied, “I love to take care of animals.” Applejack took a deep breath and trotted beside Princess Celestia.
“As do I. As princess I care about all creature great and small.”
Just as Applejack was about to speak, a hacking cough startled the farm filly.
“Nothing means more to me than the well-being of all of my subjects.” Just then, the source of the coughing floated from the bottom of the bird cage next to the princess...somehow. It was a bird, but one that lost most of its feathers. Its wings were reduced to stubs not unlike one pegasus being checked into the Manehatten Memorial Hospital back when she lived with her Auntie and Uncle Orange. The poor thing had a bad case of the mange and loss all her wing feathers. Her wings, once majesty and regal, looked more like fleshy nubs sticking from her sides, and this bird was no different.
“Ah Philomena, my pet! You're awake.” Celestia said the sickly bird. “Do say hello to our gracious hosts.” The bird said 'hello' in its own special way-with another hacking fit.
“Oh...my,” Fluttershy said with a look of concern for the poor animal.
“She is quite a sight isn't she,” Celestia said in a rather disturbingly prideful tone of voice given the condition of her pet.
“I've...I've... I've never seen anything quite like it.”
One of the two pegasi that was guarding the entrance was now leaning over the princess whispering in her ear.
“Really,” said Celestia, “well, if I must. I'm sorry everypony. I'm afraid I have to cut the party short. The mayor has requested an audience with me. Royal duty calls. Thank you for a wonderful time. It's been a joy getting to know you better.” The princess and her royal entourage trotted out of the Sugar Cube Corner. Applejack galloped out the door as well.
For a while, Celestia seemed oblivious to Applejack shadowing her from behind. Just when she was about to enter Mayor Mare's office, Celestia stopped and looked over her shoulder at Applejack.
“Why are you following me, young mare?” The princess asked.
“Well...uh...,” Applejack stuttered, “ya see yer majesty...I...uh...”
“I believe I made it clear that I had urgent business with the Mayor.”
“I was a goin' ta wait till you were dun with yer business.”
“You have my attention now. Just make it quick.”
“I was wunderin' if yer had anuther Grand Galloping Gala tickets. It's fur a friend of mine.”
Celestia sighed. “If this friend of yours wanted a ticket so badly, she could have paid for one herself.”
“It ain't like that at all, yer majesty. I tried to buy a ticket for 'em but they were all out, and he doesn't even know imma gettin' it fur'em.”
“Did you say 'he'?” A smirk crept up on the princess' face. “Ohhhhh! Now I see.” Celestia held a hoof to her mouth and playfully chuckled. “Oh my, you've grown up so quickly.”
“No, yer mi..mi...misunderstood,” Applejack stuttered. “He's...uh...Sweet Apple Acre's farmhoof and I need help with our apple stand.”
“Of all the nerves, Applejack.” Celestia scolded but a hint of playfulness in her voice. “Asking for a ticket to the most prestigious gathering in all of Equestria for hired help?!?” Applejack's cheeks turning beet red did not escape the divine eyes of the princess. “I can't give another ticket for a mere business acquaintance.”
“Well...you...see...um...sort of part of the Apple family...an honorary Apple...”
“And...”
“Sorta muh friend.”
I think I teased Applejack enough. A gold-colored ticket materialized before Applejack. “I hope the next time you ask for another ticket, it'll be for somepony you share a more...intimate relationship,” Celestia said to Applejack while giving her a sultry gaze.
“Yes, yer majesty,” said Applejack. She snatched the floating ticket and galloped away.
Well, that was amusing. Celestia chuckled. I'm looking forward to seeing Applejack's coltfriend.
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Flim and Flam was frozen in place by the shock of seeing the little colt they stiffed standing between the lifeless bodies of the two voluptuous mares they seduced.
“Do you have any idea how much of a bother it was to track you down? Why if I didn’t know better, I would think you were trying to welsh on our contract.”
Flam's eyes darted back and forth between to the two dead mares. “Cherry Tart! Luscious Red!” He then fixed an angry glare at V.V. “How could you?”
V.V. pointed to him. “Me?!? I'm just a little colt. Who would anypony believe a pair of shady stallions that just rolled into town...not after the trail of dead mares they left behind.”
“What are talking about?” Flim asked.
Flam gasped at the realization. “Brother dear, he means he's killed other mares we...”
“...had sex with.” V.V. completed Flam's sentence. “So many dead mares. I can't imagine you'd ever see the light of day if they ever caught you.”
Flim rushed across the room. His hoof came down on V.V.'s head pinning him to the ground. “Now you listen here. Fess up to *your* crimes, kid. If you turn on the water works and beg for forgiveness, they'll go easy on you.”
“Oh yeah!” V.V. levitated the garrote wire and twisted around Flim's neck and tightened. Flim struggled against the wire wrapped around his neck, but this child, somehow, had stronger magic. All he could do was free his windpipe for a fraction of a second to gulp down a wisp of air. What was worse was that V.V. didn't seem to struggle at all. He was toying with Flim and could tighten his grip any time he felt like ending his life.
Flam, in a panicked, galloped across the room and trampled over V.V. “Release my brother now, damn you!” Flam's hooves landed one blow after another on V.V.'s head. Flam halted his brutal beating and glanced back at his brother. Flim was growing sluggish. He was on the verge of passing out and then it would be over. “For the love of Celestia, please let him go.”
“Eat shit!” V. V. cursed. He glared at Flam with a crazed look on his face as blood ran from his brow and down his cheeks.
Flam flew into a panic and no longer held back. Blood sprayed all over Flam's legs and hooves with each time his hooves smashed into V.V.'s skull with the occasion crackling of broken bones. As the beating continued, Flim could feel V.V.'s grip loosening. He unwound the garrote wire from around his neck. Flim's knees buckled as he fell to the floor. The room tilted and rotated around him. Flim took one heavy breath after another trying to stay conscious. As he was gaining his composure back, Flim noticed, to his shock, his brother Flam was still brutally beating the little colt.
“Flam! Stop!” Flim cried out. The shout took every bit of breath the stallion could muster. He broke out into a coughing fit trying to catch his breath again.
Flam stopped beating on V.V. and hastened to his brother's side. “Oh thank Celestia and Luna you haven't went to the Great Pastern.”
“Is the young col...*cough* colt still among the *cough*...living?”
Flam rolled V.V.'s motionless body around and examined him for life. “He's...dead.”
“You killed a little *cough* colt?!?” Flim said scornfully.
“I...I...I had no other choice. He would have strangled you if I hadn't taken drastic measures.”
“But now thanks to your rash actions, we have two dead mares and one dead colt. How do we explain that?”
“You don't.” Neither Flim and Flam could believe their ears. The little colt with the platinum blonde mane that Flam brutally beaten to death, was speaking. His head flopped around when he got back on all four. V.V. nudged his head back in place waiting for his Immortality Code to kick in and heal his broken neck. “Who would believe you're innocent?”
“But...but...you're dead.”
“Haven't you idiots realized the same power that granted you new abilities also grants me immortality. You can kill me a hundred times, a thousand times. On the other hoof, I only need to kill you once. Or I could leave you on your own and you can explain to everypony why there's a trail of dead mares leading to your doorstep.” Blood traced the outline of V.V.'s malevolent grin. “But if you cooperate, no one other than the ponies in this room has to know.”
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“What can I do for you, Twilight?” Rarity said politely.
“Your little sister Sweetie Belle said you had some leftover gems for Spike,” Twilight replied.
“So, she tore herself away from that obnoxious Trot-Pony to interact with the rest of ponydom.”
“Trot-Pony?!?” Twilight asked. Rarity pointed to her ears. “Oh you mean those weird-looking earmuffs.”
“I wouldn't insult earmuffs by confusing them with those abominations!”
“You didn't give it to her?”
“Heavens no!” Rarity was indignant. “Mother bought them for her. They're supposed to play music...and I use the term 'music' loosely.”
“So that's where that creepy mumbling came from.”
“I thought I told Sweetie Belle not to play her Trot-Pony so loudly. I'll have a tongue-lashing waiting for that young mare when I see her. Oh drats!” Rarity facehoofed. “I can't believe we got sidetracked by Sweetie Belle's little toy.” Five gems levitated from her basket.
“That's an unusual emerald?” Twilight asked as she pointed to a light green oblique gem.
“That's actually jadeite.” Rarity dropped the gem inside Twilight's saddlebag. “And this is nephrite, zoisite, kunzite, and beryl.” Rarity dropped a bright green gem, an amber gem, a light pink gem, and an aquamarine quartz-like crystal as she sounded off each one. “Princess Celestia gave them to me. She said they were Princess Luna's but Celestia said her sister had a bad experience with them.”
Twilight was perplexed. “How the hay does anypony have a bad experience with gems and why those particular ones?”
“I'm sure Princess Luna has a good reason. Besides, you can't hold my little Spiky-Wiky up. His lit' tummy is probably rumbling.”
And I bet the baby talk would upset Spike's stomach's even more. Twilight rolled her eyes.
“And I believe I spotted a certain stallion we both know with a rumbling heart,” Rarity winked at Twilight.
“What are you talking about?” Rarity pointed right behind Twilight who turned around spotted Big McIntosh peaking from around the corner of Daisy's cottage.
Twilight was flabbergasted. “You don't mean me?!?” She pointed to herself.
“I promise not to tell Applejack,” Rarity winked at Twilight.
“There isn't anything going on between Big McIntosh and me.”
“I don't see why not. You two would make a cute couple.”
“But that sort of relationship would cut into my study time, not to mention my friendship lessons.”
“Why am not I surprised,” Rarity whispered.
“I'll tell Big McIntosh I'm not interested.”
“Not so fast Twilight,” said Rarity.
“What do you mean 'not so fast'? I'm not looking for a coltfriend right now.”
“And I'm not saying you must but don’t be so blunt. An outright rejection could devastate him. You have to be...tactful and let him down gently.”
Twilight pressed her hoof against her chin. “You do have a point. I'll be right back.” Twilight teleported out of Carousel Boutique. A minute later, Twilight teleported back while flipping through a book with a pink and white cover. The title A Mare's Guide to Coltfriends was printed on the front cover and spine in cursive fonts.
“Twilight, are you sure that book can be...trusted.”
“Are you kidding? It has a 9 ½ star rating from the Canterlot Book Review, and they don't hoof out scores like that willy nilly. By the way, where's Big McIntosh?” Twilight peered through the boutique's front window.
“I'm afraid he trotted off after you winked out.”
“Where did he go?” Twilight asked in a panicked voice.
“I'm sure he's heading back to Sweet Apple Acres.”
Twilight galloped out of the door with her book in tow. Fortunately, for her, Big McIntosh wasn't too far ahead. As Rarity said, Big McIntosh was heading out of town to Sweet Apple Acres.
“Big...Mc...Intosh,” Twilight said between gulps of air. “I'm glad I found you. Rarity said you were heading this way.”
“What can I do fer ya, Twilight?” Just then, Big McIntosh caught sight of the book floating in midair and looked away apprehensively.
“Rarity said you wanted to talk.” Twilight said nervously.
“It's gotta be in private?”
Twilight took a deep breath to calm the swarm of butterflies in her stomach. “That can be arranged.” Twilight teleported both her and Big McIntosh in the library.
“Wut the hay!” Big McIntosh looked around with a dazed-and-confused demeanor.
“You said you wanted to talk in private. The library won't open for another hour. Feel free to share your feelings.” Twilight forced an awkward smile on her face.
“It's hard fer me ta ask yer this, but you're the smartest pony I know.”
Twilight Sparkle looked away and cracked a sheepish grin. “Why thank you, Big McIntosh.”
“Well, I dunna feel comfortable 'bout asking ya this but, Imma bit concerned 'bout Suzaku.”
“Wait what?!?”
“Well, remember ta Runnin' of Ta Leaves?”
“Ugh! Oh do I,” Twilight grunted. “Your sister and Rainbow Dash were way too competitive...no offense.”
“None taken. But anyhow. Suzaku missed it and Applejack got all hot and flustered over it and was actin' all snooty to'em.”
“That is rather odd Applejack would get that upset.”
“No, that ain't da problem...well it was...but tat ain't wut I came here ta talk 'bout. You see, when I asked Suzaku 'bout missing the Running of Ta Leaves, he didn't know ponies were suppose ta shake ta leaves off ta trees. And tat ain't all. He didn't know ponies changed the seasons or made the plants grow or tat Celestia moved ta sun and ta moon. The way Suzaku talks, it's as though there's a mess o' ponies hidin' in da Everfree Forest who don't know ponies are responsible for making nature work.”
“That is wield.”
“Tat aint all. I heard 'bout how Suzaku fought off timberwolves and them Diamond Dog that foalnapped Miss Rarity but I thought ponies were exaggeratin' 'bout it 'til I saw whut Suzaku could do with mah own eyes.”
“When did you see Suzaku fighting and with whom?”
“It wasn't exactly fightin'. Suzaku was reachin' for sum jars on ta top shelf in the pantry. Well, on account that I'm ta only pony in the Apple family that can reach ta top shelf, I got on mah tippy-hooves and reached over'em. I musta startled Suzaku 'cause he somehow got behind me and pinned me to ta floor before I could blink.”
“I can't believe Suzaku would attack anypony out of the blue.”
“I did say I startled'em. He apologized when he found out it was me.”
“Oh that's good to hear.”
“Tat's whut I reckoned until I saw'em slicing apples for our preserves. He was cuttin'em so fast I couldn't keep up. His head looked like a blur. And then I remembered them stories Applebloom told about Suzaku whuppin' those timberwolves and Miss Rarity's getting' rescued from them Diamond Dogs.”
“I'm not sure where you're going with this,” said a bewildered Twilight.
“Before I go any further, ya gotta promise ya keep it a secret. Mah sisters and Granny Smith wouldn't want just anypony hearin' 'bout this and I dunna think they'd want ye knowin' 'bout it.”
“Cross my heart, hope to fly, and stick a cupcake in my eye.” Twilight covered her eye while swearing her oath.
Big McIntosh took a deep breath. “I don't know anypony that can fight like this except for mah cousin Rotten Apple. Rotten's a scary pony serving time in San Quarter Horse Prison for...” Big McIntosh took another deep breath and said in a regretful tone, “for murderin' ponies.”
“Oh dear Celestia.”
“Celestia ain't got nuthin' to do with Rotten. Well, I saw'em fight back in the days when he was only hoofin' ponies and not killin'em. He could clear out a whole saloon full of ponies all on his lonesome. He was the one pony I was afraid of. 'Fore he went ta jail, we'd make'em a whole barrel of apple cider before anypony else just ta keep'em from wanderin' into Ponyville. If you think Rotten was bad before, you should see'em when he's tipsy or better yet don't.”
“I can't imagine Suzaku acting like that.”
“And tat's what so strange. I can't either. I can accept a mean rascal like Rotten being able to fight like a bagged-up badger but Suzaku ain't got a mean streak like Rotten. He seems too kind-hearted ta be ta type of pony tat knows how ta fight.”
“You have a good point.” Twilight rubbed her chin. “I guess I could start by doing research on the lands on the other side of the Everfree Forest.”
“Why thank ya very much Miss Twilight.”
“Anything for Applejack's big brother.”
“Oh and Miss Twilight,” Big McIntosh placed his hoof on Twilight's shoulder. “Imma really flattered ya think of me tat way, but yer a tad too young fer me. I prefer mares ‘round my age. I hope you're not too upset Miss Twilight,” Big McIntosh said before trotting off.
“What did he mean by th...” It was then Twilight realized that she was levitating her dating advice book the entire time.
“Oh meadow muffins,” Twilight facehoofed.
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“Tat sho' is a fancy coat,” Applejack looking Suzaku in his new outfit. Suzaku was at the Carousel Boutique trying on his outfit for the Grand Galloping Gala along with Rarity, Applejack, and the rest of the Element Bearers who also dressed for the prestigious event.
“And it matches your dress Applejack.” Pinkie Pie said gleefully while nudging Applejack until she was side-by-side with Suzaku. Both Suzaku's coat and Applejack's dress were the same shade of green. Suzaku's vest was the same shade of red as the apple clip on Applejack's bolo tie.
“That was uh...mighty thoughtful of ya Rarity to make matchin' outfits,” Applejack laughed nervously.
“It looks very nice on you Suzaku,” said Fluttershy. The other nodded in agreement.
“Do you like it, Suzaku?” Rarity asked as she pointed to the three full-length mirrors-one in the center facing Suzaku and two on the side tilted at angle to give the ponies trying on their new suit a panoramic view.
“It looks nice,” Suzaku answered. “Thank you, Miss Rarity. So where's the pants?”
“Pardon?” Rarity's eye began twitching. “Did you say...pants?!?”
Suzaku nodded.
“Uh oh,” said Pinkie Pie. “Here we go again.”
“You want pants...and on the day of the Grand Galloping Gala.” Rarity's eye twitched again.
“Well yes, I could go out of public without pa...oh never mind,” Suzaku chuckled. “I keep forgetting I'm in a different country. Just forget about the pants. What I'm wearing is just fine.”
“Oh thank Celestia,” Rarity breathed a sigh of relief.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“Long story,” said Rainbow Dash. “We'll have to tell you on the way to Canterlot.”
“Let's not darling. I don't want to even think about it.”
“It's getting late, girls,” said Twilight looking at the clock. “We better head on out.” Twilight lead the way outside.
As they were leaving, Rarity tapped Suzaku on the shoulder. “And what's this about pants? They'd just clash with your coat?”
“Pants are kinda...mandatory where I come from,” said Suzaku.
“Ugh! Why would anypony with an inkling of fashion sense would make stallions wear pants with their coat?”
“Well, it's because public nudity is sort of frown upon in my country.”
“Nudity!” Pinkie Pie blurted out. “What's that?”
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“Are you sure you don't need help setting up the food stand?” Suzaku asked Applejack. He was tagging behind Applejack who was pushing a cart amid a group of gala attendees socializing in the Canterlot Castle courtyard.
“Naw Suzaku, these things set themselves up.” Applejack gave the cart a swift back kick. The cart unfolded reveling an assortment of apples and apple-based pastries and a pair of small yellow flags each with an apple on them.
“Did Twilight make that from an apple like the carriage...”
“Now Suzaku, not e'vrything in Equestria was made with magic. This here is Apple family ingenuity.” Just a few yards away, a stallion in a blue skintight outfit with bright yellow lightning patterns on the underbelly and fetlock was dragging his hooves along the courtyard. He was a pegasus with a blue coat and wing feathers a few shades lighter and a blue mane a few shades darker than his form-fitting uniform. Accompanying him was another pegasus in the same uniform-a mare with a golden yellow coat and a fiery orange mane with bright orange-red highlights.
“...just put all that behind you. Just relax and enjoy the gala,” said the mare.
“I don’t know if I can. I don’t want to be a downer. Maybe I should go back to my room,” said the downtrodden stallion.
“Hiding in your room is an even bigger downer. Cheer up. That’s an order, solider.
“Okay, you win Spitfire.” The stallion said with a bit more pep in his voice.
“Check it out. It's your favorite, Soarin'-apple pie. Who knows. It might even be a zap apple pie. It'll be my treat.”
“Thanks.”
The two trotted over to Applejack's food stand.
“Howdy partner! Ye hungry?” Applejack asked.
“As a horse,” said Spitfire, “well, he is.” She patted Soarin' on the shoulder.
“Whatchan hankering fer? Caramel apple, apple pie, apple fritters, apple fries.”
“That big o’ apple pie looks good,” said Soarin' but with a more energetic but still reserved tone. Spitfire smiled at her old wingpony. She was glad Soarin' mood picked up a bit.
Suddenly, Suzaku stepped from behind Applejack and was in Soarin's line of sight.
“Kumi! Kumi Sorato! Kumi, anata wa nani o Equestria de yatte iru ka. Dō yatte koko de Nippon kara desu ka.”
“What sort of language is that?” Asked one partygoer.
“Is that Griffonese?” Another asked.
“Whatever it is. It's grating to the ears,” a third partygoer snobbishly remarked.
Soarin' backed away from the apple stand. His legs trembled. Eyes fixed in place by sheer terror like a deer caught in the headlights.
“You got me confused me with somepony else.” Soarin' flew away in a panic.
“Soarin' wait!” Spitfire cried out. She shot a nasty glare at Suzaku and Applejack before flying after him.
“Suzaku! Now wut the hay did ye do tat fer?” Applejack scolded.
“I thought I recognized his voice.”
“Tat ain't possible. Tat there's a Wonderbolt. He ain't frum yer neck of the woods.”
“But he...”
“No buts! Awe shoot! If ya keep this up, we'in never earn 'nough money fer the farm now,” Applejack huffed.
“But how did he know what I was saying,” Suzaku whispered to himself.
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“Princess,” said Twilight Sparkle, “I've been so excited to spend time with you...”
“Yes, me too Twi...oh good evening,” Princess Celestia shifted her focus from her star pupil to the line of gala attendees leading all the way to the front entrance.
Suddenly, Soarin' landed between the princess and the next pony in line.
“Hey!” Said the next pony in line. “No skipping!” Other partygoers aired as their objections as well.
“Sorry, this is official business,” Soarin' turned around and apologized.
“Is there something wrong?” Twilight asked. “Did Princess Luna become Nightmare Moon again?!? Are there more parasprites?!? Did Pinkie Pie make a scene?!?”
“This is for the princess' ears only,” said Soarin'.
“Oh no problem.” Twilight levitated everypony off the stairway and to the other side of the ball room. “There, now we can talk in private.”
“I said 'this is for the princess' ears *only*'.”
“That's not possible,” Twilight chuckled. “I'm her star pupil. She wouldn't leave me out o...”
“Twilight,” Celestia said sternly, “stay put while I speak with Soarin',”
“But Princess, I...”
“I said stay put.” Both Soarin' and Celestia flew through an open window wide enough to accommodate them both.
Celestia led Soarin' to one of the towers overlooking Canterlot and landed on the balcony. Celestia's horn lit up to a soft blue glow. “Follow me,” she said. The princess led Soarin' through the tower. They trotted passed a spacious king-size bed and stop just short of the door leading to the spiral staircase. “Now tell me what's so important that I had to brush off my star pupil.”
“Your majesty,” Soarin' said in a downtrodden tone, “I saw somepony from the other world here at the Gala.”
“No, it can't be.” Celestia panicked.
“I'm afraid that it is.”
“Are you sure? How do you know this?”
“Because I met him twice. The first time was when I was captured by Princess Cornelia. He's the earth pony that jumped kicked me in midair. I'll never forget that...no matter how much I want to.” Soarin' whispered the last part to himself. “The second time was when Princess Euphemia got me out of prison after an...altercation with one of the ponies from the other world,” Soarin’ mumbled the last part out of shame of having gotten into a barroom brawl during a mission. “His name is Kururugi Suzaku and he's an honorary knight of Britannia and Princess Euphemia's personal knight.”
“But how did he get here? Meadow Prancer and Sunset Shimmer's reports said the unicorns of that dimension could barely cast a levitation spell. How could any of them send somepony from their world to ours? Was there anypony else from his world with him?”
“None that I'd recognize.”
The princess breathed a sigh of relief. “If it's just one pony from that world, I may be able to keep word from getting out. Where did you last see him?”
“He was with some farm filly selling apples.”
Celestia facehoofed. “Why in all Equestria did he have to meet up with one of the Bearers.”
“The Bearers as in the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony.”
“Yes, those Bearers. That's who Applejack wanted an extra ticket for. Soarin', is this Kururugi Suzaku the type to disobey orders?”
Soarin' shook his head. “Not from what I've seen of him. He could outdo even Spitfire in the 'stickler for following protocol' department.”
“I might be able to use that to our advantage. What does he look like?”
“Gold coat of fur, brown mane, and wearing a green coat and red vest.”
“Come with me. When you see him, without saying a word, point him out.”
Princess Celestia led the way back to the ballroom with Soarin' not far behind. As the princess flew back through the window, Twilight's horn lit up as she hastily shoved the ponies waiting on the stairway back making a space for the princess. But instead of landing, Celestia and Soarin' hovered overhead.
In one corner of the gala, Pinkie Pie was ponying a D.J. station. “Come on everypony,” she said before leaping over it. “You wanted to par-tay! Well let's parrrr-tayyyyy!” She then darted from pony to pony shoving them in a vain attempt to get them into a 'festive' spirit and even going so far as tossing ponies up in the air.
While Pinkie Pie was being the 'life' of the par-tay, one of the double doors leading into the main ballroom flew open. Applejack was pushing a cart with an eight-tier stacked cake with an apple on top. “Okay ya high-class ponies,” said Applejack, “here's your high-falutin' apple cake for all yer hoity-toity taste buds.” Behind her was an earth pony stallion with a brown mane, a gold-colored coat of fur, and a suit matching Applejack's dress.
Celestia tapped Soarin' and pointed to the stallion behind Applejack. Soarin' silently nodded. Celestia kept an eye on the stallion waiting for the perfect time to swoop in and collect him and if the Bearers were as eccentric as Twilight tactfully hinted, it wouldn't take long.
Celestia's patience paid off, though it she only had seconds to wait until Pinkie Pie stage-dived into Applejack's cart, sending the stacked apple cake flying on a ballistic trajectory into her flankhole nephew Blueblood or would have if Blueblood didn't, at the last second, push Rarity in the way. Damn! Pinkie missed! Crossed Celestia's mind.
Rarity was covered in apple cake and to say she was furious was an understatement. She growled at Blueblood. “You, sir, are the most uncharming prince that I ever met. In fact, the only thing royal about you is that you are a royal pain.” Cake fragments haphazardly slung off Rarity each time she yelled at Blueblood.
“Ugggh!” Blueblood quivered. “Stay back. I just had myself groomed.”
“Afraid to get dirty!” Rarity shook off the bits of cake like a wet dog shaking water of its fur coat. Blueblood, now wearing some of Applejack's cake, back into one of the alicorn statues tilting it over. But just in the nick of time, Rainbow Dash flew underneath it and caught it. She seemed rather happy, though, her spine, if it could talk, might have a few crossed words for the rainbow-mane pegasus. Unfortunately, Rainbow Dash loss her balance and, while trying to keep the statue on her back, nudged a column causing it to fall on another column knocking it over, which then fell into yet another column so on and so forth in a chain reaction until there was nothing left but smashed marble. And then, as though the universe wanted to have some ironic humor at Rainbow Dash's expense, the alicorn statue broke in half. But despite the mayhem, there were ponies still staring up at the princess. In fact, they were looking at her even more intently either expecting her to blow her top like some wrathful god or magically repair everything. But then, a tremor shook the ballroom. Another pair of double doors flew open. This time, a stampede of various animals from the royal garden piled inside and, when the cloud of dust behind them cleared, one very upset yellow pegasus could be seen standing in the doorway. Ironically, she was, supposedly, the most timid and gentle of the Bearers of the Elements.
“YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE ME!” Fluttershy yelled.
This was the opportunity that Celestia was looking for. The stampeding animals had even the most stalwart of ponies in a panic. She immediately swooped in and landed beside Suzaku and telelported both herself and him to another part of the castle.
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One moment, Suzaku was in the tempest created by the only friends he had in this world and, at all places, a royal celebration and the next inside a deathly silent, dimly lit room illuminated only by faint starlight pouring through a few windows. He could see a rather long table and a few chairs. “Where am I? How did I...” A bewildered Suzaku stuttered.
“Is this better?” Tiny flames seemingly came out of nowhere lighting every candle bathing the room in their warm glow.
“My name is Celestia, Princess of the Diarchy of Equestia and I am co-ruler along with my younger sister Princess Luna.”
Suzaku immediately bowed to Celestia. “Pardon my rudeness your majesty.”
“You didn't recognize me?”
“No, your majesty. I should have educated myself on the royal family of Equestria.”
“Why would you need to when every foal is taught so in grade school? Who are you?”
“My name is Kururugi Suzaku.”
“Honorary Knight of the Holy Britannian Empire and personal champion of Princess Euphemia le Britannia,” said Princess Celestia. “Is that correct?”
“B...b..but how did you know?”
“I need to speak candid with you, though it would easier if you were on all fours.”
“What?”
“You can stop bowing now.”
“Oh right.”
“Now that we're both at eye level...sort of...I have a few questions for you. First, who sent you to Equestria and did they send anypony else?”
“I don’t know her name but the one who sent me was like you-she had a horn and wings, but her coat was black.”
Celestia closed her eyes and shook her head. “I was afraid that would be your answer.”
“Do you know this person, your majesty?”
“Yes, but please finish answering my questions. Was anypony else sent back?”
Suzaku nodded. “A mare and a colt.”
“And where are they now?”
“I don't know what happened to the colt, but the mare is with somepony from your country named Trixie in some sort of traveling stage show.”
“And this mare? What about her?”
“Her name is C.C. She's what your people would call an earth pony and she had a white coat of fur and a green mane.”
“And her cutie mark?”
“It's a figure 8.”
“And the colt.”
“I only met him once and then I lost track of him, though C.C. seemed to know more about him. They're not in any trouble, are they? If so, I'll accept full responsibility for their...”
“That won't be necessary Sir Kururugi Suzaku. Now, what did you tell the other ponies when they asked where you're from.”
“I told them that I was from Japan and that it was beyond the Everfree Forest.”
“Do they know how you got here? Did you tell them about Nightmare Moon?”
“Nightmare...Moon?”
“The one who sent you. Do you tell them? Did you tell Twilight or Applejack?”
“No, I didn't tell them how I got here.”
Celestia breathed a sigh of relief.
“You said you'd speak candidly with me. Does that include telling me how you know of Britannia or Euphemia or that was I'm knight and was it Sorato that told you these things?
“His real name is Soarin'. I sent him to your world to keep watch on Nightmare Moon-the pony that sent you here. It was her magic that transformed you into ponies.”
Suzaku bowed to Celestia again. “If it is within your power to send others between worlds, then permit me passage back to Japan.”
“Sir Kururugi, stand up,” Celestia said sternly.
“Yes, your majesty.” Suzaku followed Celestia's command and got back on all fours.
“Listen to me. This situation is...complicated. Nightmare Moon is...in a sense...my sister. My younger sister Luna had a split personality. For beings like my sister and I, this is extremely serious as, though our powerful magic, our form can change through the power of our will. My sister Luna was transformed into Nightmare Moon by her split personality. She was strong enough to bind even my power. The only force that could stop her was something we call the Elements of Harmony. Six mares were chosen to wield this power and to defeat my sister's alternate personality...or so we thought.”
“Your sister escaped to our world.”
“No, the split personality escaped. The Elements split the little filly I knew and loved dearly from that...thing that threw your world into chaos. Nightmare Moon wasn't destroyed even with our most powerful artifact. Until a permanent solution is found, we must tread carefully. I'm afraid sending you back will only alert Nightmare Moon. She'll know that I tracked her down to your world putting both our worlds in danger. So, I'm afraid I can't send you back.”
“But your majesty...”
“Sir Kururugi, you should understand the importance of following orders. My decree is as much for the sake of your world as it is mine.”
Suzaku's ears drooped as his head drooped down momentary before he straightened up to a steadfast, rigid posture not unlike the royal guard. “Yes, your majesty,” said Suzaku in a forced stolid tone.
“And you must never speak of Nightmare Moon or how you got here or of your prior form. The vague explanation of coming for lands beyond the Everfree will suffice for any curious ponies. And most of all, you mustn’t tell Applejack or her friends Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, or Rainbow Dash. They were the ones chosen to wield Elements of Harmony. They were the ones that used its power on Nightmare Moon.”
“You mean, the Applejack I know!” Suzaku gasped.
Celestia nodded in response. “It would break their hearts knowing the harm Nightmare Moon inflicted upon your world.”
“No!” Suzaku shook his head. “It wasn't their fault. They couldn't have known...”
“I didn't say it was, but they may not see it that way. As far as they know, Princess Luna was restored, and Nightmare Moon is just a distant memory. Please, keep it that way for their sake.”
“I'll make sure they never discover the truth, your majesty,” said Suzaku. This time, the determination in his voice wasn't forced. If he couldn't go back home to Euphemia, then at least he could keep them to from finding out the terrible truth of Nightmare Moon's 'defeat'.
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The trip back to Ponyville seemed...longer...at least for Suzaku. He tried taking solace in the well-being of his Equestrian family but what of Euphie or Nunnally or Japan? He tried reassuring himself that one lone pony could only cause so much trouble before being dealt by Zero or the forces of the Holy Britannian Empire, but he knew, from an objective standpoint, it was presumptuous. If Nightmare Moon could move between worlds and transform all of humanity into ponies, then who knows what limits were to her powers or what damage she could...no! Don’t think about it. Just keep your mind on what can be done-keeping Applejack and the others from finding out about Nightmare Moon.
“A bit for yer thoughts, Suzaku,” Applejack asked. She stuck her head out of the carriage to check on their escort.
“‘A bit for my thoughts’?!? I don’t understand.” Suzaku asked
“It’s just an expression. I just wonderin’ whacha thinkin’ ‘bout?”
“Umm...nothing. I’m just a tired that’s all.”
“Are yer sure tat’s all it is?”
“How can you ask after what happened at the gala?” Twilight scolded.
“Don’t get bent out of shape over it,” said Rainbow Dash, “the princess was cool about it.”
“You smashed up the ballroom.”
“And the princess said it was no problemo,” Rainbow Dash leaned back with her forelimbs behind her head, “case closed.” Suddenly, the carriage came to a stop. Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy were all peering outside. “Wha...wha...what’s going on?!?” Rainbow Dash tumbled out of her reclined position. She darted back and forth between the windows trying to squeeze in and peep outside. Applejack, who was on the right side, climbed out of the carriage followed by Twilight who went out the other side. Standing in front of Suzaku was the same fiery mane Wonderbolt from the Grand Galloping Gala.
“Captain Spitfire!” Rainbow Dash squealed in excitement. She galloped to her side, but one stern glance was all it took to get the rainbow-maned mare to back off.
“I want a word with your escort,” said Spitfire.
“With Suzaku?” Rainbow Dash blurted.
“Is that his name?” Spitfire raised an eyebrow. “Quite the exotic name you got there? So, where’re you from, Suzaku?”
“I come for a land from beyond the Everfree Forest called Japan,” Suzaku replied.
“Is that so? That weird language I heard you speak at the gala-is that how they talk in Japan?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I was with my wingpony when I heard you speaking in a foreign language I never heard before, and I’ve been all over Equestria and heard everything from Griffonese to Minotaurdin. I don’t know what you said but whatever it was, it got my wingpony in a panic. Now, what did you say to him?”
Suzaku looked away while sliding his hooves along the ground. “I mistook your friend for somepony else. I apologize for...”
“Don’t give me that manure!” Spitfire stomped her hoof. “Soarin’ understood your language. He’s been beyond the Everfree Forest...to Japan...hasn’t he? Well?”
“Now listen here,” Applejack spoke up as she took a few steps towards Spitfire, “don’t go givin’ our friend the third degree. He don’t hafta answer any questions.”
“Nopony’s talking to you,” Spitfire snapped at Applejack. “Now tell me what happened to my wingpony.”
“I told you already,” said Suzaku, “I mistook him f...”
“You’re lying. Soarin’ was in your country. What happened to Soarin’? Tell me, Celestia damn you, tell me!”
Applejack rushed Spitfire and was up in her face with only an inch separating them. “Now tat’s ‘nough outta yer. Yer don’t talk ta mah friends tat way.”
“No pony’s leaving here without giving me some answers.”
“If yer wanna know what happened to yer wingpony, ask him yerself.”
“No, I’m asking your foreign coltfriend over there.”
“Whoa...whoa...I didn’t say he was muh coltfriend.”
“Applejack,” said Suzaku, “let me talk to her.”
“But Suzaku, she...” Applejack objected.
“I can handle this myself.”
“Yeah, I understand,” Applejack frowned and tilted her head down. “I’ll butt out.” At the same time, Spitfire smirked at the farm pony getting told off.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” said Suzaku. “I appreciate your concern, I really do. But I have to handle this myself.” Applejack perked up a bit after Suzaku reassured her. “Spitfire,”
“Yeah, go ahead and spit it out,” said Spitfire.
“Answer Applejack’s question-why won’t you ask Soarin’?”
“What?” Spitfire sneered.
“Applejack asked a legitimate question. Why are asking me about your wingpony and not asking him yourself?”
“You’re just stalling. Now tell me what you know?”
“So, I’m suppose to know more about your wingpony than he does?”
“It’s not that simple.” This time, Spitfire was on the defensive.
“So, I have to explain his whereabouts to you?”
“Soarin’s was sworn to secrecy okay! There I said it! Are you happy?”
“Who made him swear to secrecy?”
“None of your business.”
“You made it my business with your accusations.
“Fine, he went on a secret mission. Now tell me what happened to Soarin’.”
“Are you a soldier?”
“I’m a Wonderbolt. We’re a hay of a lot more than soldiers.”
“Are the Wolderbolts part of the Equestrian military?”
“Equestria doesn’t really have a military,” Spitfire said nervously, “it’s not like we have a standing army...”
“Is the Wonderbolts a military organization?”
“Yes,” Spitfire sighed.
“And if your wingpony was ordered to keep his mission a secret, are you not violating orders by trying to uncover this secret? Well?”
“Soarin’ is more than a wingpony. He’s my friend. Everypony that I fly with-we’re like family. Soarin’ was the most easy-going pony to come out of the Wonderbolt Academy, but after he got back from that secret mission, he’s been an emotional wreck. He has two straight lines burned into his flank where his cutie mark is. Soarin’ tries to hide it but everypony knows about it. At night, in the barracks, I hear him-we all hear him thrashing around in his bed screaming. Whatever happened to him on that secret mission to *your* country broke him, destroy him on the inside and left him scarred, and I know it’s *your* country. I can tell when a pony lying to me.”
“If Suzaku’s lyin’ then yer got nothin’ left ta say to’em,” Applejack said as she trotted towards Spitfire before Suzaku held his foreleg out to stop her from coming any closer.
“I think it would be more constructive if you seek help for your friend through official channels than interrogating...”
“DON’T YOU THINK I TRIED!” This time, Spitfire was in tears. “I tried talking to everypony that mattered and it got me nowhere.” Spitfire said while stomping the ground. “Everypony, even Celestia, was tight-lipped about that damn mission, and you’re no different from all of them. You’re keeping quiet about it just like them even if it’s killing Soarin’.” It was then, Spitfire looked past Suzaku and straight at Rainbow Dash. “You’re the pony from the Ponyville Weather Team that’s working with Soarin’ aren’t you?”
Rainbow Dash nodded.
“He writes about you. He always mentions you in his letters. Be there for him. I can’t. I gotta keep him away from the pony that put him through Tartarus. That’s why I sent him away. You’re the one he has left. Please, be there for him. And never leave him alone with a pony named Meadow Prancer. She’s a mare with a purple and pink mane and a yellow coat with a padlock cutie mark. She’s the one that picked Soarin’ for the secret mission. That one is always loitering around the Academy waiting for him to come back. I don’t think she’ll bother you and Soarin’ in Cloudsdale but just in case. I’ll leave for now, but if ever change your mind, you can find me at the Wonderbolt Academy.” After making her final plea, Spitfire flew away and faded into the background of the night sky.
“Of all ta nerve of tat mare ta bully Suzaku over sum secret mission that he knows nothin’ ‘bout,” Applejack griped.
“Why wouldn’t he?” Rainbow Dash looked sternly at Applejack.
“Are you sayin’ Suzaku and tat there Wonderbolt know each other?”
“Spitfire said Soarin’ understood Suzaku’s language.”
“Naw, tat was a lucky guess.”
“‘A luck guess’?!? Are you saying Soarin’ didn't understand Suzaku?” Everypony shook a bit when Suzaku began pulling the carriage.
“He coulda jist guess that Suzaku was saying ‘hi’ to’em.”
“Or he understood Suzaku’s language,” Rainbow Dash disputed Applejack’s claim.
“And even if he did, what makes ya think they met. As far as we know, Suzaku’s homeland is so big they could miss each other. Do *ya* know e’vrypony in Equestria? Well?”
“Girls, can’t we stop fighting?” Fluttershy pleaded. “I’m sure if that Wonderbolt’s friend was in trouble, I’m sure Suzaku would help.”
“After that talk about following orders, I doubt it,” Rainbow Dash pouted.
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Flim and Flam was putting the finishing touches on a massive machine. It stood eight stories tall and was enclosed in scaffolding. The center was a sphere with a pair of curved plates covering the front, a nacelle sticking out of the top, and five long spikes running along its circumference. Flim and Flam combined their unicorn magic to levitate a rather large piece from the ground to an open spot on the machine.
“Can’t we take after we install this piece?” Flim asked while straining.
“And risk angering V.V.?” Flam replied. One by one, the brothers plugged one wire after another into the component’s interfaces.
“It’s not like he can enact his big plan of his without that mare he’s been trying to track down.” When the last piece was plugged in, Flim and Flam slid the component into place. Just then, V.V. trotted in.
“How’s it coming along?” V.V. asked.
“We just finished installing the last Factsphere into the Siegfried?”
“Which was supposed to finished last week?”
“Do you have any idea how hard it is to manufacture alloys to your specifications?”
“And they have better be up to specs. I don’t want my Knightmare Frame to tear itself apart because of your primitive technology. I didn’t give you your Geass for nothing. Without it, you’d still be peddling that antiquated farm equipment.”
What the hay he’s going on about ‘primitive technology’? Both Flim and Flam thought. Equestria is the height of technological progress, even without V.V.’s special gift. We have steam engines dammit! “And my brother and I are most grateful for your Geass you flakehole!” Said Flam, though he kept the insult to himself.
“The ability to unite our minds and to draw up blueprints in very minds has advanced Equestrian technology a thousand years all thanks to you and I’d trade it all just to be rid of you,” said Flim, who, like his brother, wouldn’t dare air his true feelings for V.V., at least to his face. “Now about that power source.”
“We made it perfectly clear that no boiler could possible power your machine,” said Flam.
“Believe us, we use our Geass to its fullest extend and could come up with no solution, barring magic, of course, but magic with that sort of power doesn’t just fall into your hooves every day.”
“Don’t worry about the power source. I already have one lined up and a pony to retrieve it for us.”
“You have?” Both Flim and Flam asked in unison.
V.V. looked to his side. “You can show yourself to them.” Just then, a little grey filly with a white mane done up in a ponytail and a spoon cutie mark materialized before Flim and Flam. “Go on. Don’t be shy. Introduce yourself.”
“Uh, hi. I’m Silver Spoon.”
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Will the Mane 6 find out the deep dark secret Celestia is keeping from them and will it cause a rift between them and Suzaku? What are V.V.’s plans for Flim, Flam, and Silver Spoon, and what of C.C. and Trixie? Tune in next time for another chapter of Rebel Against the Night.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter of Rebel Against the Night. To anyone still reading my stories, I am sincerely sorry I took so long to write this chapter but between a crippling addiction to first-person shooters (my fault, I admit) and getting bitchslapped by writer’s block (that one I couldn’t help), it took me a while to get Chapters 13 and 14 finished. Hopefully, I won’t have as much trouble with the remaining chapters. Rebel Against the Night is ¾ of the way finished, so there aren’t that many chapters left.