Chapter 3: Operation P.H.O.E.N.I.X.: Powerful Highly Organic Eternally New Inferno Xtreme
"So. . .Trixie went solo, went rouge, and then betrayed Team Raucous."
"Yes sir," Gilda said.
"Stinking, unicorn. . ." Garble growled.
"How disappointing. . .oh well. . .you'll do good to replace her, right?"
A figure of a Pegasus saluted, "Yes sir!"
"Good! Now, today is the day we capture something that possess the power of eternal flame, and eternal life! The Phoenix! And not just any Phoenix, the mightiest Phoenix of all! The Phoenix of Princess Celestia!"
Princess Celestia had once again decided to make a visit to Ponyville. And so, as expected, everypony was nervous on the brink of a panic attack.
This time, Celestia was visiting the Cafe near the center of town. The waiter nervously brought out a tray with a tea pot and tea cups. He shakily set it down in front of where the Princess sat and bowed quickly before rushing in to bring out the scones and Creme Brûlée.
Celestia sighed and smiled as she turned to the golden bird cage next to her. In the cage sat her pet phoenix, Philomeena.
"Hmm, it seems my subjects will never feel comfortable around me," Celestia mused to the bird.
Philomeena squawked in response, and dent its head down to preen her feathers.
Celestia nodded and continued, "It seems the only ones I can be myself around are you and Luna." Celestia looked up and smiled as she saw Twilight Sparkle and her friends approaching. "Hmm, perhaps we shall reach that level with Twilight one of these days. . ."
Twilight and her friends all bowed respectfully. "Princess Celestia," Twilight said, "We hope you are enjoying yourself here today."
"I am now that you're all here," Celestia replied brightly. She then turned to Fluttershy and said, "And Fluttershy, I must once again thank you for your amazing job of reforming Discord!"
Fluttershy blushed and looked away bashfully, "Oh, um, it was nothing. I'm just glad I could help."
Celestia shook her head and said, "No, Fluttershy, it was something. You managed to show a once heartless creature the Magic of Friendship. I always knew you could do it. Especially after your 'adventure' with Philomeena."
Celestia gave a sideways glance at the Phoenix, who looked around nervously.
"It takes a very patient and kind pony to deal with such a troublesome prankster," Celestia said with subtle sly grin.
Rainbow Dash chuckled and said, "Who? Discord or Philomeena?"
Everyone had to laugh at this, even Philomeena's beak curved into a smile. The Phoenix turned to Fluttershy, and that's when she saw it. Fluttershy was wearing the feather that she gave to her. Philomeena was deeply touched by this. So much so that a tear leaked out from one eye. . .
Suddenly, this was all interrupted when a hook latched onto the catch and hoisted it up into the air.
"Oh no!" Fluttershy shouted.
Celestia's eyes widened as she quickly turned to look in the direction of the catch. Up in the air was a floating pegasi cart equipped with a winch that was quickly pulling up the cage. Hitched to the cart was a cloaked pegasus pony. On either side were two other cloaked figures.
"What is the meaning of this!?" Celestia shouted up to the cloaked figures.
"It's Team Raucous!" Twilight said angrily.
"Who? What are you talking about, Twilight? Who are these criminals!?" Celestia demanded.
The figures all threw off their cloaks.
"Listen, is that a Namby Pamby Pony Princess I hear?" the red dragon said mockingly.
"It's speaking to me loud and clear!" the griffon said.
"Floating on the wind!"
"Past the stars!"
"In your ear!" said the light blue pegasus mare as she swung her orange-yellow hair.
"Bringing chaos at a breakneck pace!" the dragon said.
"Dashing hope, putting fear in its place!" the griffon said.
"A ruby by any other name would be just as sweet!"
"When everything is worse, our work is complete!"
"Garble!"
"And it's Gilda!"
"And Lighting Dust, now that's a name!"
"Putting the do-gooders in their place!" Garble declared.
"We're Team Raucous!" Gilda cheered.
"IN YOUR FACE!!!" they all shouted as one.
"That's right!" Lighting Dust added quickly.
"What the-?" Celestia said.
"They're an evil gang of criminals who go around stealing rare magical creatures that they plan to use to take over Equestria!" Twilight explained, she then hung her head and said, "They were always just a silly nuisance. I never thought to tell you about them."
"Lighting Dust?" Dash gasped, "Why are all my ex-friends turning into criminals?!"
"This is your fault, Rainbow Crash!" Lighting shouted, "You got me kicked out of the Wonderbolts! So now, I'm gonna make you and your friends pay! When Team Raucous takes over the world, you're all toast!"
"Don't be fools!" Celestia shouted, "There is no way you could possibly capture a Phoenix!"
Philomeena nodded, and she began glowing fiery red.
"We're prepared for this," Lighting Dust said, and she tossed a blue crystal into the cage. There was a flash, and the cage was suddenly encased in ice.
"NO!" Celestia gasped.
"So long, oh wittle wimpy Princess!" Garble mocked as the trio flew off.
"LET - HER - GO!" Fluttershy shouted as she took off after them.
Garble turned in mid air and breathed a fire ball at Fluttershy. She dodged it and flew up close, giving him the Stare at close range. However, Gilda suddenly flew in and tackled Fluttershy all the way to the ground. She pinned the pegasus to the ground by her wings, and then quickly put on a pair of sunglasses.
"Hah! You're little Stare can't hurt me now, Fluttercry!" Gilda taunted.
Fluttershy whimpered and closed her eyes as she lay helpless on the ground. "Philomeena," she whispered, "I'm sorry. . ."
Meanwhile, Lightning Dust was flying off with the cart and its cargo of frozen Phoenix. Suddenly, she heard the sound of somepony yelling. She looked around, but couldn't see anything. Then, she realized that the yelling was coming from above her. She looked up, and her blood ran cold.
Rainbow Dash was flying straight towards her, yelling with an enraged expression on her face.
BOOOOOOOOM!!!!
The Sonic Rainboom exploded outwards right over the cart. Lightning was sent sprawling to the ground and knocked into Gilda, freeing Fluttershy. The cart was obliterated, and the icy prison holding Philomeena was broken. Philomeena screeched out a victory cry to celebrate her freedom.
Garble landed next to Gilda and Lightning and said, "Come on, you dopes! We can still snatch that bird if we hurry up and-."
Garble was cut off as Princess Celestia teleported right in front of them. The trio looked upon the Alicorn with horrified fascination as the rainbow colored ethereal mane suddenly became like crimson fire. Celestia's eyes burned hot white as she shouted in the Royal Canterlot Voice, "HOW DARE YOU KIDNAP MY PRECIOUS PET!! MY CLOSE COMPANION!! MY LOYAL FRIEND!! THE ONE WHO I HAVE RAISED SINCE BIRTH!! THE ONE WHO I CHERISH LIKE A CHILD!! HOW DARE YOU!!"
As Gilda and Lightning stared at Celestia in horror, Garble suddenly let out an ear-piercing scream unlike a girl's. "AAAIIIIIEEEEEEE! She's not namby pamby after all! Abort mission!!!" He then threw down a smoke bomb, which filled the area with smoke. When it cleared, the trio was gone.
Celestia sighed as her eyes and mane returned to normal. The mane six came over to her. Fluttershy had Philomeena riding on her back.
"Here she is, Princess Celestia, safe and sound. Um. . .but her cage is. . wrecked now. . ." Fluttershy said nervously.
Dash chuckled nervously and gave an extremely forced smile, "Heh, heh. Yeah, ah. . .sorry about that. . ."
Celestia smiled as Philomeena flew over to her and landed on her bend front leg, "Don't worry, cages can be replaced. I'm just so happy this young lady is safe and sound. I am in you debt once again. This time on a more personal level."
Fluttershy hung her head, "I didn't really do much. . ."
"Nonsense," Celestia said firmly, "You helped to keep two of those villains busy as Rainbow Dash launched her attack. You were very brave, Fluttershy. Philomeena agrees with me, don't you?"
Philomeena nodded, and she fluttered over next to the yellow Pegasus, nuzzled and red feather she wore in her mane, and gave a squawk as she flew back to Celestia.
"Wow," Fluttershy gasped, then she smiled and bowed, "Thank you Princess Celestia." She then got up and smiled and the Phoenix, "And thank you too, Philomeena. We'll always be friends."
Celestia nodded and said, "Now, lets get back to the cafe before the tea gets cold!"
Philomeena squawked and suddenly flew off back to the cafe.
Pinkie Pie laughed and said, "Don't worry, Princess! Philomeena will warm it back up for you!"
Everypony laughed as they made their way back to the cafe.
TO BE CONTINUED