The guard reminded us that we all had classes, so we didn't chitchat after we garbaged everything down. Armed with toothpicks in our magic (and wing), we trooped out of the restaurant district.
A giant shadow crossed the sun. Not a cloud. It had wings.
Even I jumped. Occasionally, Rocs wandered into Equestria, hunting ponies. Survival instinct. An alicorn five times my mass slammed down on the cobbles. She wore a rusty red bodysuit that went from her neck down to her ankles, strategically hiding her cutie mark.
As the princess furled her wings, Streak leapt and slammed down between me and Her Royal Highness, making a bigger tremor thanks to her armor. A dozen pegasi in gleaming armor fluttered down and assembled beside her.
Celestia remarked, "So, here's where you wandered off to." Her purple eyes glittered.
I grumbled, "Can't we have lunch in peace?"
"Had you met with me for one meal—one little meal—or a tutoring session—"
Sunset growled. She was jealous of Twilight's access to Celestia... now me? I got that.
"—you'd have an inkling what this is about."
"What's so important?" I asked.
Galloping hooves clattered up, amidst the jangle of armor. Guards arrived, one pulling a wagon.
"BBBFF!" cried Twilight.
Shining Armor levitated a golden helmet into Celestia's magic. She fit it over her head, threading her ears and pulsating particolor mane through the holes. She said, "The Golden Stag claim the southern reaches of the Everfree Forest. They're antlered deer and the most magically dangerous of the Wild. We've had an armistice with them for three centuries."
"We're... at war?"
"The Wild claim all of Equestria, but generally accept our peace. Until somepony forgets. They've captured a small village, claiming the farmers were stealing sacred wood. Somepony undoubtedly had."
I pawed the cobbles. I flashed back to my first remembered visit to Canterlot, when I'd run away. I'd been worried of being followed. The Princess had landed outside the Hey Burger! while I'd hidden inside. She'd displayed a magic map of Mount Aris—for anypony to see—as she prepared to leave to fight the Prince of Storms.
A pegasus reporter with a camera was flapping for all he was worth from the News Building where Streak had part-timed as a stringer.
I said, "Aren't there certain things that ought be kept secret, Princess? Like military adventures?" I pushed aside Streak and met the alicorn's purple eyes.
We locked gazes. She smiled, then nodded. "Maple Leaf told me about your visit to school, trying to get her to tell you if Sunburst were enrolled. You'd excoriated me for showing my map to my lieutenants! I agree, doing it in public is somewhat gauche, but time constraints override such concerns. That you notice these things shows me you're the princess I've needed all along."
I scoffed. "I'm evil."
Celestia snorted in amusement. "Self-deprecation reveals a lot about a pony."
She belted on gold mesh over her hindquarters, adding, "This is diplomacy by display of force. A type of shield. The Golden Stag test us whenever we give them an excuse, itching to take back their domain."
As she exchanged her peytral regalia for something more complete over her chest and neck, I glanced at Streak. I was willing to bet Hurricane's armor was far more effective.
"Okay, I'll bite. How can I help?"
"Great attitude, Starlight! Had you been paying attention, or attending meetings, you'd know I was hosting the Canterlot Running of the Leaves. As my heir, my little pony, it's now your responsibility. You being a past winner of the Baltimare Celestial Race, so I've made you a lovely set of sport trunks and a cute tank top so you can represent the crown."
She latched clips, snapping protective greaves onto her legs, then stepped into spiked golden horseshoes. Nasty. Hoof length knives for boxing while rearing."Oh, yeah: Princess Mi Amoré Cadenza made great observations about you and Sunburst this morning. It made me realize she has the same problem with magic as Streak because she thinks like a pegasus. She's joining your special-ed class tomorrow."
My jaw dropped.
"Enjoy your first duty as a royal. Make me proud!" She leapt into the sky with a roar of her wings followed by her soldiers—a mere murder of crows flapping after her in comparison—as I stood sputtering.
We followed the guards toward the castle. Twilight monopolized Shining Armor, introducing her brother to Moon Dancer. Her face colored, but despite her shyness, she asked questions. I gathered Twilight's friend was rather taken by the stallion in armor. Maybe that was an innate filly behavior? I remembered what Sunset said about Cadance, the prince, and Shining Armor.
Jealousy. Could I feel it? That led my mind to Citron.
"You and Citron," I said to Sunset, almost in a whisper.
She chuckled. "I like the colt."
I took a deep breath—but she interrupted whatever my emotions might blurt to say, "Yet, when your stallion always has some other mare on his tongue, you realize he's probably not fully into you."
She suddenly blushed deep red, realizing she'd innocently pronounced a couple double-entendres. "Oh, no. Oh, no," she cried, clattering away, her tail spinning.
She didn't get the courage to face me before the guard corralled me in a different direction from my classmates, which ended our conversation for the time being.