//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Destination Ponyville // Story: A Royal Getaway // by IronStories //------------------------------// Morning arrived with the sounds of birds chirping and the Sun brightening the town of Ponyville. Celestia and Novo were staying at Twilight Sparkle's castle the previous night, and Novo was still in bed sleeping. She had always wanted to visit Ponyville, but her busy schedule wouldn't allow her, not to mention her insecurities about her and Twilight's first encounter. She always worried that she left a bad imprint on Twilight and her friends despite them making amends in the end, but after talking about it the previous night, she felt a bit more at ease. She was happily asleep until... "Good morning, Queen Novo!" Spike had walked into the room that Celestia and Novo were staying in and saw that Novo was still asleep. "Ready to experience your first day in Ponyville?" "Uhhhgh, just five more minutes, honey." The Queen mumbled, in a fairly familiar fashion. "Momma needs her beauty sleep..." "I know what you mean." Spike replied. "I wish I could spend the whole day sleeping. But then I wouldn't be able to do all the things I wanted." Novo reluctantly got up, her feathers once again rustled and some drool ran across her beak. She wiped her face and her eyelids were still a tad heavy. But she eventually got up. "Good morning, Spike." She replied, yawning a little. "Where's Celestia at?" "She's downstairs with Twilight making breakfast. Have you ever tired Celestia's pancakes before? They're the best!" Spike took Novo downstairs to the dining area, where Twilight was sitting and having breakfast. "Good morning, Queen Novo!" She said. "Did you sleep well last night?" "I did, thank you." Novo replied. She was still looking around for Celestia. Suddenly, the Princess made her way out the kitchen. "Novo!" she beamed. "I'm glad you're finally awake. I was telling Twilight about our vacation! Oh, and I hope you're hungry, because I made plenty of pancakes for you all!" She gave Novo a plate of pancakes. She decided to try one, and she was love. "These are delicious, Celie!" Novo exclaimed. "I never knew you could cook something so lovely! If we ever decide to retire, we should open up a restaurant where you serve your pancakes and I can serve some freshly baked hippogriff scones!" Celestia was delighted. "I'm glad you enjoy them! We certainly have a lot planned today." Novo pulled out her list to see what was left on it. Only a few things remained on there, all of which were in Ponyville. "Princess Celestia told me you made a list of all the things you wanted to do." Twilight said, finishing off the rest of her breakfast. "I'd like to join you both, but I have so much to do here." "That's fine, Twilight." Novo replied. "We want to experience Ponyville at our own leisure." After Celestia finished the dishes, she and Novo were preparing to head out until they bumped into Starlight Glimmer, Twilight's personal student. "Oh, pardon me!" She said. She looked up to see Celestia and Novo. "Princess Celestia! I didn't know you were visiting!" "Hello, Starlight. It's nice to see you." Celestia greeted with her usual gentle tone. "I'm sure Twilight filled you in." "I was out helping Applejack set up her booth for the market." Starlight replied. She then turned to Novo, having not met her before. "Who are you?" "I'm Queen Novo, of the Hippogriffs." Novo said. "You must be Starlight Glimmer. I've heard a lot about you." "Really?" Starlight felt flattered. "I've heard a lot about you too. Your niece attends our school." "Yes, she likes to talk about it a lot." Novo chuckled. "I'd like to stay and chat, but Celestia and I have a lot to do. I'm on vacation and I want to get as much done as possible." "Okay, I'll hopefully see you around then!" Starlight waved as Celestia and Novo made their way into town. Novo was surprised at how bustling Ponyville was, and it wasn't just because Twilight and her friends lived there. from all the small shops to all the ponies interacting with one another, it was a very thriving community, much similar to how things were for Novo back at Mount Aris and Seaquestria. Novo got out her list and checked to see what to do first. "So what's first on the activities list today?" Celestia asked. "That's what I'm trying to figure out." Novo said, looking at the list. "I would really like to go to the spa. I heard it's one of the best places in Equestria to replenish your beaut-" "QUEEEEEEEEEEEEEN NOVOOOOOOOO!!!" Suddenly, a loud shout was heard throughout town, and a pink streak was moving at high speeds towards the royal pair. Novo grew worrisome, until the pink shape finally stopped in front of her, revealing itself to be the ever-so hyperactive Pinkie Pie. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe you're here in Ponyville!" She said. "Twilight told me, and then I told Rainbow Dash, and then she told Applejack, and then she told Rarity, and then she told Fluttershy, and we didn't believe it at first given how we first met and Twilight tried stealing your Pearl and we were thrown out of your kingdom, but now you're here with Princess Celestia! I still need to throw you a party welcoming you to Ponyville, I have a song prepped up and everything, but I need to know everything you like from you favorite food to your favorite drink to-" Novo put her finger on Pinkie's lips. The chatter was a little too much for her to handle. "You're gonna have to calm down there, sweetie." Novo said. She then turned to Celestia "She makes Skystar look like she's sitting still..." "Sorry, I just get excited when someone new comes to Ponyville." Pinkie replied. "Is Skystar with you?" "I'm afraid not." Novo told the energetic pink pony. "She's covering my duties back at Mount Aris while I am on vacation." Pinkie's smile slowly turned into a frown. "But I do plan on visiting the little shop you work at before the day is over." Pinkie's smile was soon restored. She actually baked a special cupcake for Skystar, and she wanted Novo to give it to her. "Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie chirped. "And be sure to enjoy your stay at Ponyville!" "Thank you dear," Novo said, "we will." She and Celestia headed for the spa. It was already open by the time they made it. Novo was always wanting to keep her beauty in check. She loves visiting the spa to unwind after a long day, and she heard about the one in Ponyville and wanted to see what it was like. And now was her chance. They entered the spa and were greeted by he spa operators, Lotus Blossom and Aloe. "Welcome!" They both said in perfect unison. "Hello there, girls." Celestia said back. "We'd like the Daily Special." The twins saw Novo, and were in awe at her beauty. Novo felt a little uncomfortable at them staring. "Is something a miss?" Novo asked. "Oh no," Lotus said, "we were just admiring your lovely complexion." "Do you use seaweed wraps?" Aloe asked. "We thought about using those here." Novo blushed. "I use them all the time. I heard great things about you two. Now let's see you give Momma the best spa treatment you can!" The twins escorted the Royals to their spa room. First came a soothing warm bath to calm the nerves and relax the mind, then came a pedicure to give the hooves that sparkly shine. Lotus and Aloe were confused as how to handle Novo's talons, but they found a solution by using some nail filings that they use for Spike. They work as efficiently and comfortably on hippogriff talons as they do for dragon claws. Next was a soothing massage that was meant to relax. After a few hours, their time at the spa was done. "Ah, I feel so refreshed!" Celestia beamed. "This was, without a doubt, one of the best spa treatments I ever had!" Novo glowed. "No offense to my own royal spa workers, but you two are masters of your craft!" "Thank you so much!" Lotus and Aloe were pleased to hear that a ruler from a foreign land was able to give them such a glowing review. "If I ever have the time again, I would love to come back. See you girls later!" Novo said, as she and Celestia left the spa to head to the market square. The market square had so many things being sold. Many of it was fresh food and other wares, but there were some booths selling antiques. Novo liked seeing all the interesting wares being sold, and looking at antiques and other interesting objects, something she use to do when she visited kingdoms prior to all the hippogriffs going underwater. In fact, when her husband was still alive, he use to bring her trinkets from his royal visits to other kingdoms, and her eyes would light up with joy and curiosity. And now she got to experience this again with her best friend. Novo's joy was on full display. "Oooh, look at this, Celie!" Novo found an old book and wanted to show it to Celestia. "Must've been published decades ago." "That's certainly interesting, Novo." Celestia said, smiling at her friend's happiness. "Your curiosity is adorable." "Waverider use to bring me all sorts of things from his travels. Oooh, what's that?" Novo darted to the booth run by Applejack, who was selling Zapapple Jam. "It looks like a rainbow in a jar! How cute!" "Howdy, Princess Celestia!" Applejack said as Celestia headed towards her booth. "You on another vacation or something?" "Hello, Applejack," Celestia greeted, "I'm actually taking Queen Novo on a long overdue vacation. She wanted to stop by the marketplace as part of her time here." "Really now?" Applejack saw Novo still mesmerized at the Zapapple Jam. "I can see why. Looks like she hasn't gone out in a long time." "That's why I agreed to take her on a vacation. To let her relax and unwind. She's been working so hard maintaining both Mount Aris and Seaquestria that I felt she need a break. I know that she didn't leave the best impression on you and your friends, but she has been through a lot." "You telling stories again, Celie?" Novo chuckled. "Anyway, I'm gonna look around a little more. I won't go too far." And with that, Novo pranced along to look for more interesting items. "Well it looks like she's having a good time." Applejack said, as she watched Novo look around the other booths in awe. "Rainbow Dash told me she would be visiting, and I was a little worried she would still be upset after, well, you know." "Once you get to know her, she's really fun to be around." Celestia smiled. "Anyway, can I get some Zapapple Jam? Luna enjoys it and I want it to be a gift for her for covering my duties while I'm away." "Sure!" Applejack said. Meanwhile, Novo was looking around the market in awe at all the things she spotted. Unique foods, knick-knacks of all kinds. She wanted to get a closer look at some items at one booth, but a dark purple pony with a dark magenta mane and a trenchcoat was also looking at the same booth. "Excuse me," Novo asked the pony, "could I have a look too?" "Why certainly," the pony replied, "let me just move for you." She turned around revealing herself, and Novo was in utter shock. The pony had a scar on her left eye and a broken horn. There was no denying who this was. It was Tempest Shadow. Novo gasped. A sudden wave of memories were flashing before her eyes, none of them were any good. They were flashbacks to that horrible day. Tempest was one of the Storm King's most trusted commanders, an utterly merciless and ruthless fighter. She was present during the invasion, and she watched as Waverider perished. She was also ordered by the Storm King to track down Novo when she fled. Novo was sweating, her heart was racing and her eyes were filled with fear, anger, and trauma. She started to back away slowly. Tempest was confused. She has long cut ties with the Storm King and changed her ways. She recognized Novo and tried to walk up to her, but with every step, Novo backed away. "Wait, I remember you!" Tempest said. "You're Queen Novo, aren't you?" "Stay away from me!" Novo snapped. It must have been pretty loud, because suddenly everypony was looking. Celestia heard it as she was making her purchase. "What was that?" Applejack asked. "Oh no..." Celestia took to the air as she desperately tried to find Novo. She soon found her and headed down. "Easy, Queen Novo," Tempest tried to calm down the Queen. "I'm not going to hurt you." "Easy for you to say!" Novo shouted. "You were there when Mount Aris fell! You saw my husband die! You were working for that monster! Stay back, now!" Celestia arrived just in time. "Novo, what happened? What's going on?" Novo was too afraid to speak. She hugged Celestia and didn't let go. Tears were running across her face. "What's wrong?" Celestia asked. "What's got you so upset?" She then saw Tempest, and then it all made sense. Tempest started to walk closer. "I didn't mean to make her upset, honest!" Tempest pleaded. "I was going to let her look at the booth until she started panicking." "Novo, please, regain some composure." Celestia tried talking reason to Novo, who was still sobbing. "It's okay! Tempest isn't going to hurt you! She's changed. Honest!" Novo tried to get her emotions in check. She looked at Tempest, but the fear was still being felt. The tears stopped, and she tried to regain herself. All seemed calm at the moment, and it may seem like Novo might be willing to talk. "Hey Temp!" Suddenly, Tempest's little partner Grubber came in with a bunch of snacks. "Have you tried any of these things? They're pretty tasty!" He then saw Novo. "Well look at that! It's that bird lady whose kingdom we wrecked all those years ago! Finally decided to come out of hiding?" Novo's jaw just dropped. Celestia and Tempest were in utter shock at Grubber's comment. Novo's expression changed as well. She went from shock to complete anger. "I knew we shouldn't have come here!!!" She told Celestia. She then darted off, the tears returning and running down her face as she ran before flying off from the market, crying. Celestia and Tempest glared angrily at Grubber, who was out of the loop. "What?" He said. Tempest then bopped him on the head. "Ow! What did I do?" "Princess Celestia!" Suddenly, Applejack came running in with the Zapapple Jam Celestia purchased. She then saw Novo leaving in a hurry and then Celestia with Tempest and Grubber. "I guess this is a bad time to give you this." "We'll discuss it later." Celestia replied. "Right now I'm more worried about Novo. We have to find her." "I can help look for her." Applejack insisted. "Us Apples are the best trackers in Equestria." "I would like to help too!" Tempest added. "Please, it's the least I could do." "I'm not sure that would be a wise decision, my dear." Celestia told Tempest. "We know you changed for the best, but Novo doesn't." "I insist!" Tempest was determined. "If and nothing more than to straighten things out." Celestia remained a tad unconvinced. She worried that Tempest being there might make things worse for Novo. "Please." Tempest begged. "Let me help find her. I want to make things right. Don't we, Grubber?" "I still don't see how this is suddenly my fault." Grubber squeaked, though it was clear Tempest wasn't playing around. She angrily glared at the small hedgehog-like creature. "Okay okay okay! Just, chill. I'll help you guys find the bird lady." "Okay." said Celestia. "Let's go. I'm hoping she didn't go far." The four then left the market to go search for Novo. They were hoping she didn't leave Ponyville, otherwise the search would be nearly impossible. They would go look at all the spots that she was at earlier in the day, asking everypony in town if they saw her. And they were hoping to find her soon.