I decided to just have a walk around town, let the ponies get use to me being there. I checked my watch and saw that is was Ten-forty five. Fuck, I've been walking around for ages. I wonder how the guards are getting on? Seeing as I was nearby, I thought I'd check on Strike and grab something to eat at the same time.
Entering Sugarcube Corner, I was 'attacked' by two blurs, one whitish and one yellowish. Looking down, I saw Pound and Pumpkin Cake looking up at me with curious eyes. “Oh dear. C-c-c-c-carrot, c-c-c-c-come here.”
I looked up and saw Mrs Cake looking at me, face clear with worry. Mr Cake came trotting out of the kitchen carrying a tray of muffins. “I'm here honeybun, what's....” He stopped moving and looked at me, then down at my feet. “Please don't hurt them.”
“Mr and Mrs Cake, I wouldn't even dream of such a thing. Now, as to why I am here. Is Pinkie Pie about?” As I said this, we heard a door being opened upstairs, and then there was pink blur running down them!!!
“LUCCKKKYYYY!!!” Once again I found myself flat on my back, but I had closed my mouth this time.
“Pinkie, still on the injured list!!! Get off!”
“Oh right. Plus I wouldn't want to be arrested for assaulting a guard captain!!”
“Guard....captain??” We looked to the counter and the shocked faces of Mr and Mrs Cake.
Another voice on the stairs made himself known. “Mr and Mrs Cake, may I present to you Captain Fire Rain, the latest addition to the Royal Guard. He is the one who save the fillies from the Diamond Dogs, protected the Bearers and Princess Celestia in Canterlot, and just the other night saved Princess Cadence from a Changeling assassination attempt. Your foal could not be in safer hooves.”
“He is correct, Cup Cake.”
“Princess Luna?” I turned around, and sure enough, there she was.
“Ma'am, I was not expecting to see you. May I ask what you are doing here?”
“I had not heard from you nor Twilight yet, so I came down to see what was taking so long.”
“Well, I've got them speaking, but I was closer to here, so I thought I'd stop in and see how Strike here was getting on. I'm about to head to the library if you'd like to join me ma'am.”
“Please Captain, I told you to call me Luna. Now come, to the library.”
“Yes ma'am.”
We walked along joking with each other, with me finding newer ways to embarrass her. As we got closer to the library, we could hear the sounds of fighting.
“I don't care!!! I want you gone!!”
“Please Lady Sparkle, I just wish to apologise.”
“That's a load of shit!!!” Okay, she hung around me too much in Canterlot.
“Lady Sparkle, language!”
“AND WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT????”
There was a bright flash and part of the wall blew out, followed by White Feather. He hit the ground and slid along, finishing up at my feet. He looked up at me and struggled to stand, but ended up on his flank. “I tried to sir, but Lady Sparkle wouldn't listen....”
“You tried lieutenant, that is all I wanted. Go get yourself cleaned up, we'll deal with Twilight.” He looked from me to my companion and tried to come to attention. “Feather, go get cleaned up, and then head to the mayors to get some contractors for the roof, and the library. The get your flank over to the hospital for a check up. Now.”
“Yes sir.” As he trotted off, we continued to the library. I went up to the hole and poked my head in.
“Wow Lady Sparkle, remind me never to piss you off.”
“Fuck off.” Okay, enough of this.
“Princess Luna, I need a favour.” I pulled away from the window and started to whisper to her. “Do you know Twilight's parents?”
“Yes, they are well known to the palace.”
“Do you think they'd come down here?”
“To see their daughter, they would travel the world. Why?”
“One second. Spike!” The little dragon ran to the hole in the wall. “Did Twilight say anything about her parents knowing about White Feather?”
“She said they suspected something, but they didn't pry too much.”
“Excellent. Your highness, can you get them down here. I feel we'll need their help with this one.”
“I shall have them here no later than eight this evening. I shall return to Canterlot now.” With that, she took wing, followed by two dark blurs. Must've been her personal guard. Well trained, I didn't see them till they left.
“Spike, keep Twilight busy. Don't let her focus on Feather.”
“I'll do my best.”
Time to check on the others.
After seeing Strike's success and Feathers attempt, I thought I'd check up on Nova. Making good time across town, I was surprised to be hit by a white thunderbolt and bowled over. “Oh thank youthankyouthankyouthankyou!”
“Good morning Lady Rarity. May I be allowed to get up?”
“Oh but of course. A stallion of your calibre should be allowed to walk tall.”
“Stallion of my calibre?” I could see a disgruntled looking Nova behind her, is his horn starting to glow?. “I think somepony is waiting for something.” Turning around, she saw the look on his face, and instantly had her hooves around his neck, and started to purr in a very sultry voice.
“Of course, he doesn't match up to a stallion such as yourself.”
“Just to clarify the point, I was asked to pass this on to him by a mare from Canterlot with a message.”
“Oh come, out with it then, don't keep him in suspense.”
“She said that she 'hopes the her little Novie-wovie has a good night'.”
There was a sigh followed by him raising his hoof to his eyes. “My sister. It's the only way we could have got these tickets at such a short notice.”
“What's the tickets for?”
“They're for one of the most luxurious restaurants in Canterlot......but it's for tonight sir.”
“Corporal Fusion.”
“Sir?”
“See you tomorrow. Oh, but before you go, who's your sister?”
“Thank you sir. My sisters name is Fleur de Lis.”
'THUD'
“JUST WHAT IS WITH THESE MARES AND FAINTING AROUND ME???”
Seeing a rainbow contrail heading to the fields outside town, I followed it to see what she was up to. Upon hearing her voice, I slowed down, and slipped in to the trees.
“Okay, so stretch those wings out, and then limber them up.”
“It hurts a little.”
“It will do till it's fully healed. We're not flying just yet, I'm just teaching you the stretches today. Your first flight should be with your parents, I'm just helping you to get to that point.”
“Oh thank you!!”
“Easy squirt, you're crushing my lungs! That's better, now back to stretching.”
I wonder how well this outfit hides me? Time to find out! “Lady Dash, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
“Lady Dash? Are they talking to you Rainbow?”
“No squirt, they're not. Cover your ears. Show yourself so I can buck you up!!”
Okay, she really doesn't like that!! Stepping out from the tree, and seeing she was facing the other way, I slipped up behind her. “You really think you could take me, Lady Dash?”
If I hadn't of expected it, the hooves could have hurt but as it is, they hit nothing but air, I had a little laugh. “Nice try Dash, but I'm still too quick for you.”
“Lucky?”
“Not any more, I am now 'Captain Fire Rain.'”
“Captain huh?”
“Yep, now what happened between you and one of my corporals?”
“Squirt, can we cut it short today? I promise we can do double the session next time.”
“But I want to stay with Lucky.”
“Squirt, this is not a conversation I want to have near you. Go find your friends to play with okay?”
“Okay.” I watched the disheartened little filly turn around before tugging her tail. “Hey!”
“I'll come find you three later, and get you something nice if you're all good.” She started to smile and bounced away, eager to see her friends. “So......what do you think of Starfyre?”
“He seems nice. A little cheesy. But.....I.......like it.”
“What's this?? The amazing Rainbow Dash thinking girly things??? Run for your lives, the end is nigh!!!”
“You'd best shut the buck up if you know what's good for you.” The smile on her face and the blush on her cheeks betrayed what she said. “It'd be nice if I could be around him with out passing out.”
“Is there a bar in town?”
“Yeah, but they won't serve me or Mac after......you know what, it's one of those things you don't want to know. Why?”
“I think you just need some liquid courage. Who's the pony that runs it, I'll have a word with them.”
“It's Berry Punch.” Why am I not surprised? “But good luck getting her to let me back in.”
“Well, if she says no, I'm sure I could persuade AJ to let us have some cider. Speaking of AJ, time to check up on Hammer.”
“Before you go, I have a request.”
“What's that?”
“Can you free Starfyre for lunch, and.............ask Sergeant Streak to come talk to me. We need to sort some stuff out.”
“Head in to town, your stallion is looking for you Lady Dash.”
“.....buck off.”
Walking through the gateway, I heard grunting coming from the barn. Thinking that was AJ was, I started walking over just as an orange blur came flying out and hit the ground.
“APPLEJACK!!!” Drawing my pistol, I ran in to the barn a sighted on the only living thing in there. “Sergeant Legstrong, what the fuck are you doing?” He looked at me confused before AJ Spoke up behind me.
“Is that it? Mah filly of a sister bucks harder than you. What do they feed y'all in that castle?”
“WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON??”
“Sir, we're just sparring. I used to spar with Big Mac, and AJ used to watch us. Once she got old enough, we let her join in. She was always the most nimble of us three.” A quick glance at AJ and she had pulled her Stetson down to hide her face.
“Oh you hush now, ya hear, or Ah'll go get Granny Smith!!”
“With your Granny, AJ? I knew you had a wild side, but I wasn't expecting that!”
“That's it, time fer round two!!” She charged Hammer and knocked him over, sending them rolling through the hey until they came to a stop, him on his back with AJ standing over him.
“You know Lady Applejack, you're the only one of the Bearers not to have fainted around me.”
“That's cos Ah'm not as prissy as the others. But Ah'm sure you'll find something t' get me with, Captain.”
“Yeah, I'm sure I will. Well, just Fluttershy to check up on now, see you later.”
“Sergeant, why are you hiding under this bridge?” I found him there sat by the stream with his head hanging low and his eyes closed.
“I....can't do it sir. I saw her in the back garden. I.....couldn't do anything to upset her.”
“Where is she now?”
“In the house.”
“Wait here.” Shaking my head, I made my way over to the door and knocked, hearing whatever was going stop and some light steps coming to the door, and then it swung open.
“Hello? Oh Lucky, nice to see you. What's with then new clothes?”
“Huh? Oh, you're looking at the Royal Guard's newest Captain!!”
“Oh that's wonderful!!! What can I do for you, Captain??” She finished up with a giggle.
“I wish to ask you how you feel about Sergeant Streak.”
“Oh, I see. Um, I miss him. I always new he would go to join the guards, it's what he wanted. It hurt when he left without saying goodbye, and I wouldn't mind seeing him again, but I wouldn't know what to say.”
“Come with me.” I led here to the opposite bank, and then made my wear back to Streak. “Sergeant, I'm not here as your CO, I'm here as a male. What did you do?”
“I had told Fluttershy about my dreams to join the guard, and she supported me. I had applied and was waiting for a response. I received a letter the next day telling me to get to Canterlot right away. They had even sent a carriage to collect me. I had planned to come back on leave, but I was injured during training, and I was in therapy for two years. By the time I was released, I imagined that Lady Fluttershy had forgotten me, and met somepony else. When I heard you wanted guards, I jumped at the opportunity, but what if she has a special somepony all ready?”
“And what if she hasn't?”
“Then I've failed as a guard. How can I protect the princesses if I can't even talk to a mare.”
“Sergeant. Open your eyes.”
As he did, they connected with Fluttershy's, and nothing was said. Then there was a yellow and pink blur as Streak was tackled to the ground. “HOW COULD YOU THINK THAT???? I WOULD NEVER HAVE FORGOTTEN YOU!!! AND YOU HAVEN'T FAILED AS A GUARD!!!! NOW YOU ARE GOING TO COME IN TO MY HOUSE AND WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS!!!!!”
“What?”
“Sergeant, the Lady gave you a request. I suggest you comply with it.”
“Yes Sir.”
Now to find Berry's bar.....