“It wasn’t long before we encountered a pony … but the encounter didn’t go well.”
Some of the colts were playing ‘Tag’, and were recklessly dashing through the undergrowth, regardless of what they might bump into … or who.
‘Ooof!’ A Flutterpony colt crashed into an obstacle.
The obstacle went ‘Ooof!’ too.
It was an orange earth pony stallion. His eyes went wide at the sight of the colts.
“Aaah! Monsters!” shrieked the pony.
Rosedust’s head jerked around at the pony’s shrieks and cries of ‘Monsters!’ She quickly beckoned to several other Flutterponies before heading in the direction of the commotion.
The colts were standing together facing the panicking pony, who was cringing against a tree.
“Get away! Get away!” the stallion shouted. “I … I warn you, I can fight!” Then Rosedust and the others came into view. The poor pony nearly passed out with fright. “More monsters?! Aaaaaaaaah! That’s it! I’m getting the Royal Guards!”
The earth pony was gone so fast that he seemed to be little more than a blur. The Flutterponies watched him go in confusions, and in some cases: wariness.
“What was that all about?” asked one colt, scratching his head with a hoof. “All I did was accidently crash into that pony and then say ‘sorry’. He then starts shrieking about monsters and cowers away from us!” Rosedust thought for a moment.
“I suppose he probably thought that we were monsters. Let’s face it, our appearances at the moment don’t resemble ponies like them.” All of the ponies in the vicinity hung their heads.
“But!” The Flutterpony Queen said emphatically, making everypony look up. “It’s just one pony. I’m sure that the others will be more accommodating.” Most of the Flutterponies nodded, although a couple of ponies still had unsure expressions.
“What about the Royal Guards?” asked one. “Are they going to understand?” Rosedust laughed and winked.
“Don’t worry, I know each of the present two captains of the royal guard well. Auras Solaran and Vesper Nyx are good-hearted, sensible, loyal, true soldiers who obey orders, but think about the consequences of them beforehand. They’re not the sort of ponies to blindly act on first impressions on meetings with strangers. Now come on, let’s get back to the others.”
Chrysalis shook her head in exasperation as the mist swirled and changed.
“If only it had been so”, she spat, scowling. “Turns out that ‘first impressions’ were ALL that mattered in THAT meeting.”
Rosedust and her flock of Flutterponies were walking through a forest in the light of the afternoon sun. Suddenly, ponies in golden and silver armour appeared all around them: behind the trees, hovering in the air, standing in the open … All of the armoured ponies wielded spears and bows, and had threatening expressions on their faces.
The Queen slowly walked in front of her kin, and then decided to introduce herself.
“Uh … hello there. My name is Queen Rosedust, and behind me are my kin: the Flutterponies. We …”
Rosedust was interrupted by laughter. The sort of laughter that is sarcastic and hurtful.
The ranks of royal guards parted to reveal a figure whose armour was covered with frivolous gold and silver decorations. His helmet was bigger than everypony else’s, as was its plume (which kept getting in his eyes and tickling his nose).
Celestia promptly facehooved and groaned loudly, catching everypony’s attention.
“Please no”, she muttered. “Not HIM, please.” Applejack raised an eyebrow.
“Recognise him?” she asked dryly. Luna rolled her eyes.
“We wish that we could forget him entirely. The name of that pony is Aulus Precaro Blueblood the second.”
“BLUEBLOOD!” the mane six and Spike exclaimed in shock.
“Yes”, the sun alicorn said with a sigh, “A distant ancestor of my nephew. Aulus Precaro Blueblood the second was snobbish, rude, overbearing, foolish, and extremely reckless. He insisted on being in the royal guards, due to his namesake being a famous and heroic general.” Luna then joined in again.
“His family made such a fuss that we eventually did make him an officer … but we instructed our captains to never let him go on missions unless at least one of them was in charge. Trust me, he caused trouble on a daily basis in those days.” The night ruler suddenly giggled.
“Tia, do you remember his first mission? The one about the cockatrice?” she asked. Celestia’s face broke into a big grin.
“I remember that! I especially remember having that conversation with you about whether we should change him back. He seemed less annoying as a statue”, the white alicorn murmured.
The rest of the group of viewers were trying not to laugh. Even Chrysalis was smiling.
“There was one incident during his guard days that really caused such a fuss”, continued Celestia, “He’d been boasting that he could take on a hydra single-hooved.”
Everyone gasped.
“Woah”, muttered Rainbow Dash, surprised at the enormous boast. “Indeed”, Celestia said seriously.
“He set out to prove it, but his adventure ended with Luna and I having to rescue our screaming nephew from the hydra he picked a fight with. Although, he screamed louder afterwards.” The purple alicorn flinched.
“Was he hurt?” she asked anxiously.
“No, unless damaged pride counts as an injury. You see, during his encounter: one of the hydra’s heads made a snap at Aulus. He managed to avoid being made a mouthful, but it managed to bite a huge chunk of his mane off. Right off! He had a complete tantrum about it, and had a ridiculously big helmet made so that other ponies wouldn’t notice until it grew back.”
“Is that the helmet he’s wearing then?” Pinkie questioned, pointing at the pompous pony’s fancy helmet.
“Actually yes, it is”, said Luna.
The fancy armoured stallion cleared his throat and spoke.
“Quiver before our might, ye foul creatures! In the name of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, surrender or be gone! Or ye will face your doom!”
Rosedust rolled her eyes, but still made an effort to be polite.
“You misunderstood me. I AM Queen Rosedust. I know I look different now, but it was caused by …”
The stallion laughed sarcastically again.
“As if! I have seen the real Flutterpony Queen, and she looks nothing like you, you vile monster.” The Queen ground her teeth together angrily.
“Let me speak to someone in authority!” she demanded. “Is Auras Solaran here? Vesper Nyx?”
“I am in charge here”, the pompous aristocrat snapped. “Now leave Equestria.”
Rosedust stamped a hoof in response, a determined expression on her face.
“No”, she said with finality. Her kin copied her, with equal seriousness.
“I thought that you told Solaran and Nyx not to let Aulus go on missions without at least one of them there”, Starlight whispered to Princess Celestia.
“I did, I … oh no.”
“What?” asked Twilight.
“Well, I’ve just remembered that Captain Solaran was badly injured the month before Rosedust’s party in a chimera-related incident. It was two months before he was fit for active duty again. Poor Captain Nyx had to take over Solaran’s duties, and ended up doing double work for two months. He might not have had time to keep track of Aulus, as he normally does.”
“Oh”, Starlight and Twilight said together.
“Exactly.”
“Fine … ATTACK!” Aulus hollered. The royal guards looked at each other, and then charged at the Flutterponies.
Rosedust’s kin looked surprised, and very frightened.
“Everypony behind me! NOW!” shouted the Queen, standing in front of her children.
Rosedust proved to be a first-rate battle mage: blasting guards back with frightening power and devastating aim. But there were just so many guards: in front, closing in, all around them. The Queen was afraid for her children.
So, she used her powers to cast powerful illusions over herself and her children. Streamers of glowing green light wrapped around the Flutterponies, making them look and seem like trees, bushes, and rocks.