//------------------------------//
// Unexpected Aid 
// Story: Equestrian Anthology 
// by Shingo 
//------------------------------//

“Stop right there criminal scum!” an armoured pegasus shouted. He and an armoured unicorn were chasing a pink pony down one the halls of Canterlot Castle. The pony in front of them was happily bouncing along and laughing. The unicorn laughed along with her. Something about her laughter was infectious.

“I’m not going to stop,” the pony sang. She turned her head at the two and flashed them a wink. “Besides, you two enjoyed it as well.” The pegasus cracked a smile at the events that transpired only moments ago.


*


Prince Blueblood exited his chamber with his head held high. His blond hair shined in the moonlight and was perfectly combed. He wore an azure bowtie and a fresh boutineer was pinned to his lapel. In front of the stallion was a window with his translucent reflection in it. He approached the window eyeing his reflection.

“Why hello there,” he said. “You look perfect as always.” The two guards standing at his chamber doors rolled their eyes. As Blueblood was admiring his reflection, the glass shimmered for a brief moment. Instead of Blueblood’s reflection being in the glass, a pink earth pony mare was in the glass holding what looked like a cream pie. Blueblood stared at the glass in confusion while the reflection of the pink pony smiled at him.

“What in Equestria…”

“SURPRISE!” the reflection yelled. The cream pie pushed through the glass and hit him straight in the face. Blueblood was pushed back and he fell on his haunches. The pink pony jumped out of the glass and landed in front of him. She rolled on the ground laughing at the prince. Behind him, both of the guards were laughing as well. Blueblood wiped the cream out of his eyes at gave the pony a look that could kill.

“You dare to assault royalty?!” he seethed. “You’re not fit to stand in my presence you filthy mud pony.” The pony looked up at him with a smile on her face.

“Hey Prince Blue,” she said. “Calm down, it’s just a prank. Relax.”

“Yes,” he said. “Just a harmless prank, for laughs.” Uncomfortable laughter came from his mouth. The pony joined him with genuine laughter coming out of hers. He suddenly stopped laughing.

“Twelve years dungeon,” he said. The pony just stared at him. Both of the guards stopped laughing at stared at the prince in shock. He turned to the guards. “Seven years, no trial. Come on, move her down there.”

“Your highness,” the unicorn said. “Don’t you think that is rather extreme for something so…”

“Well,” the pony said stretching the word out. She lifted a bright blue ball from her mane and held it up. “If you want to send me there, you have to catch me first!” The ball was thrown to the ground and confetti exploded everywhere. Both Blueblood and the guards covered their eyes. When they looked at the spot where the pony was, she was gone. Confetti was still falling from the sky, and laughter could be heard down the hall. The guards laughed. Blueblood glared at the guards.

“Well, what are you waiting for, after her!” The guards were still laughing at the absurdity of what had happened. “Now, or ONE MILLION YEARS DUNGEON!” The guards stopped laughing and chased the echoes in the hall.


*


Both guards smiled as the pony led them to an open window. She jumped into the frame and stood on her hind legs facing them. A toothy grin was on her face as she looked at them.

“Gentlecolts,” she said. “You will always remember this as the day you almost caught Pinkamena! Diane! Pie!” She gave the two guards a bow and jumped out of the window. At least she would have, if the unicorn had not tied her hind legs with one of the curtains. With a thought, the pony was telekinetically pulled down from the window to the floor. The curtain then tied all four of her legs together. Both the unicorn and pegasus approached the pony.

“Oooo,” she said. “You guys are good. No wonder you two are guards.”

“Miss Pie was it?” the pegasus asked. “Your actions were unwise. The prince is furious with you.” The unicorn nodded.

“He is most likely going to be furious with us if he learns you escaped,” the unicorn said. “And it is going to make our lives much harder.” A look of guilt appeared on the pony’s face.

“And that,” the pegasus smirked. “is well worth it to see Blueblood like that.” The pony looked at her two captors. Both of them had wide smiles on their faces.

“So you’re just going to let me go?” The curtain binding her legs unwrapped itself.

“We are,” the unicorn said. “Next time though, we’d like a word of warning the next time something like this is going to happen. That way we can help you.” The pony stood and smiled at the two guards. She stuck out a foreleg and both ponies shook it.

“By now, the entire royal guard has heard of your exploit,” the pegasus explained. “Each one of them would be more than willing to help you with something like this again. We’ll tell them your name, that way they know who you are. Anypony in the guard would give their left hind leg to see royalty and nobility humiliated like that.” The pony leapt into the window frame and looked at them.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said. “Till next time boys.” She gave a small salute and jumped from the window. Both guards returned it as she was leaving. The two guards then began the trek to their post, wide smiles on their face.