//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: The Birth of a New Friendship. // by ROFLBED0 //------------------------------// The carriage made its way toward Canterlot castle. The paved road leading up to the castle made long weaves through the mountains. The guard pulled the carriage ever so carefully through the winding passage. Dazzle's stomach rumbled. "I'm so hungry. How much longer till we get there?" Dazzle said impatiently. "We'll be there soon. Can't you just sit back and enjoy the ride?" Orion said as he stuck his head out the window like a dog. Dazzle looked at her husband and just snickered. As the carriage approached the castle, Dazzle and Orion saw many ponies gathered around the entrance. "What are all these ponies doing here?" Dazzle asked. As they got closer to the crowd, they could hear them chanting. "Oh, Celestia," Orion said, putting a hoof to his head. In only a matter of hours, Christina Clydesdale had rallied support against Orion and Dazzle. A crowd of ponies started booing as the carriage approached. Dazzle looked out and saw that they were carrying signs. One read "No foals for fools." Another said "Diapers and walking sticks don't mix." Dazzle fell back into her seat and frowned. "It's okay, baby, it's going to be alright.” As they walked out, the booing grew stronger. The guards hustled them along and into the castle. "Wow, this place is huge." Dazzle said, as she marvelled at the massive room. "The dinner is in the courtyard," a guard said as he escorted the couple to the enormous garden. They were led through the various hallways until they came to the courtyard. As they looked out into the yard, they saw many high class ponies mingling amongst each other. "Is this some kind of dinner under the stars?" Dazzle said optimistically. "Uh, honey, it's a dinner party." Orion said gingerly. "So, nothing but small snacks and high priced wine?" Dazzle said. "Yup," Orion said. Dazzle's belly rumbled, and she moaned. She ran down into the courtyard and began searching. "Would madam like an apple tart?" a waiter pony said as he gestured towards a tray. "Gimme!" Dazzle said, grabbing the tray and burying her face in it. "Excuse me, sir, but where are the apple tarts? I simply must have another," Fleur de Lis said to a waiter. "BBBUUURRPPP!!!" Dazzle belched. Everypony turned to her. "Can anypony get me another tray of food; I am the guest of honor." Most of the high class ponies raised their noses in disgust. "Such rudeness shouldn't be allowed into a royal dinner party," one of the snobs said. "Mom." Twilight said. Dazzle looked to her side and saw Twilight as well as her friends walking up to her. Dazzle looked up from her food to wave to them. Applejack walked forward with a stallion at her side. "Mom, this is Applejack and her cousin Braeburn. He happened to be in town, and Celestia said it would be great if he could attend." "It's mighty nice to meet you, Mrs Dazzle," Applejack said as she tipped her hat to her. Dazzle acknowledged her and went back to eating. "You'll have to excuse Dazzle, all she's thought about is food for the last few hours," Orion said, walking over to Twilight and her friend. "Girls, I would like you to meet my father, Orion." Twilight said. "Hi, it's so nice to meet you, I'm Pinkie Pie, how are you?" the pink mare said, standing right in the face of Orion. Rainbow Dash grabbed the mare and held her back. "Sorry, she gets really excited when she meets new ponies," Rainbow Dash said. "Yeah, I can see that," Orion said with a chuckle. "So you guys are having a foal, that's so awesome," Rainbow Dash said. "Yup, we're excited.” Dash walked off and said, "Sorry to dash, but I got Wonderbolts to find." Twilight and Rarity walked up to Dazzle. "Mom, this is my friend Rarity." Dazzle swallowed and said "Pleasure to meet you." "The pleasure is all mine," Rarity said with a graceful bow. "Mom, Rarity said she wanted to launch her new foal clothing line, and she wants to give you endless supply." Twilight said. "Oh my, that's so nice." Dazzle said smiling. "Oh, believe me, I would love to help; I completely support you." Rarity said "Well, it's nice to see that someone is," Dazzle said, returning to her food. "Fluttershy, come say hi," Twilight said to her shy friend. Dazzle looked up to see a yellow pegasus hiding behind a table. Fluttershy stepped out into view. "Uh, hi. I'm Fluttershy," the timid mare said, hiding her face. "Oh, honey, aren't you the most adorable thing ever?” Dazzle said. Fluttershy blushed and she asked. "Um, can I feel the foal?" "Of course you can," Dazzle said, exposing her belly. Fluttershy put her hoof to her belly and felt the foal kick. Fluttershy giggled and thanked Dazzle. "You have some wonderful friends, Twilight." Dazzle said. There was a sudden burst of light and Celestia and Luna were in the garden. Everyone looked to see that there was an additional unicorn standing beside them. "We will be serving the main course now," Celestia said. With another flash of her horn, a massive table appeared. Everypony took a seat and waited as waiters brought plates of food to the guests. Twilight was seated next to Luna. "Who is the other unicorn?" Twilight whispered. "That is our nephew, Prince Mercury Flame." The unicorn had a shiny, rust colored coat with a flowing orange mane. Rarity overheard their conversation. "He sure is handsome," Rarity said, staring deeply at the prince. Luna giggled a little. "Sorry, Rarity but you're barking up the wrong tree." Rarity and Twilight went a little wide eyed and went back to eating. Mercury, however, had his own eye on someone. The prince stared across the table to the pale yellow stallion sitting across from him. It was Braeburn, and he was staring at the prince as well. Mercury Flame winked at Braeburn, who returned it with a blush and a slight smile. The two waited a few more minutes before making any moves. Mercury suddenly gestured to the yard shed in the far corner. Braeburn smiled and nodded. The two nonchalantly got up from the table. Everyone seemed too busy with their conversations to notice them getting up and walking toward the shed. "So Dazzle, we have seen your interview." Celestia said giggling. Dazzle coughed as she heard this. "Oh, did you?" Dazzle said, embarrassed. "Yes, quite a spectacle to watch." Celestia said, sipping from her tea. "Oh, geez," Dazzle said, face hoofing. "We're so sorry, princess, never again will we make such fools of ourselves," Orion said. Celestia burst out laughing. "You two need to relax, it was most entertaining," Celestia said. Dazzle and Orion started to breathe normally and sat down to return to their meals. "Well isn't it nice to see you again so soon," a mare said. Dazzle and Orion turned around at the too familiar voice. Behind them was Christina Clydesdale. "What do you want now?" Dazzle asked. "Oh, I just have some unfinished business to attend to," Christina said. "Are you sure you want to do that now? The cameras aren't even on," Orion said. "Oh, I've come for something a little more personal," Christina said with a smile. "And that would be?" Twilight said, hearing the conversation across the table. "Well, I've come to profess my love," Christina said. "What!" Orion, Dazzle and Twilight said simultaneously. "Orion can I have a kiss?" Christina said. "Uh, no," Orion said. "Well I'm not leaving you till I get that kiss, and I always get what I want.” A sudden noise of loud moaning came from the shed. "What was that?" Twilight said. "Rainbow Dash rolled back in her chair, laughing "Oh wow, some ponies are gettin' it on in the shed." Christina heard what the pegasus said. Applejack got up and walked toward the shed. Applejack opened the door and saw just what the source of the noise was. Lying on the floor was Braeburn and Mercury in a loving embrace. "What are y'all doin'? You didn't get invited just so ya could get it on with the prince. Come on, mister." Applejack said, biting Braeburn's ear and pulling him toward the exit. "Wait, before you take him out there in front of anyone." Mercury said, as he put his horn to Braeburn's head. The yellow stallion was instantly invisible. "I really don't want you to get brought into this," Mercury said. "Well, at least one of cares" Applejack said. Applejack walked out with the invisible Braeburn. Christina walked away. "Prince Mercury beds with a mystery stallion at the royal garden dinner; that will defiantly make headlines." She began to turn around and walked toward the mass gathering around the prince. She stopped, and turned. "And Orion, I still want that kiss." "Not on your life," Orion said. "We'll see." She replied. As Orion as Dazzle walked toward the exit, they saw Prince Mercury. Dazzle ran up to him and hugged him. "Thank you for getting Christina away from us; I just feel terrible that it's gonna be your name in the papers tomorrow," Dazzle said. "It was nothing; and don't worry about me. It doesn't matter what some tabloids say about me, I'm comfortable with who I am." Dazzle and Orion smiled. "Now you two need to be comfortable with who you are, because there is always gonna be someone who's gonna to say terrible things and all you have to do is what makes you happy." Prince Mercury said as he walked away. "Are you ready to go home?" Orion said. "Yup, let's put this baby to sleep," Dazzle said.