//------------------------------// // A Meal Between Friends And Foes // Story: The Secret of Smarty Pants // by Rough_Draft //------------------------------// Seven – A Meal Between Friends And Foes Fluttershy followed Twilight into the royal dining hall, feeling more than a little on edge. On any other occasion, she’d have been glad to put on a nice green dress and fix her mane up. But Twilight’s warning about the changelings in their midst had her feeling anxious about the banquet. And how could she not feel guilty every time she looked at her friends, wondering wondering if she was judging somepony unfairly of being an impostor? Just follow her lead, Fluttershy thought. Have to remember that. The hall was filled with Crystal Ponies, all servants of the royal court. Cadance and Shining Armor stood near the back of the hall, greeting every guest. The rest of their friends were gathered near the main table. Pinkie Pie was tasting every single appetizer and dessert, while Rarity basked in the attention of two young stallions. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were huddled together, talking quietly about something. On the surface, they seemed perfectly normal, wearing lovely dresses and their Elements of Harmony. But Pinkie Pie was hardly talking up a storm, Rarity seemed a little anxious, and Rainbow Dash was frowning like she had a headache. “Hello, girls!” Cadance smiled and reached out to hug Twilight. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m putting you and your friends with Shining Armor and I at the main table.” “Yeah, about that.” Twilight leaned in and whispered something into Cadance’s ear. The other princess frowned and looked at her sister-in-law in alarm. But then Twilight smiled and Cadance smiled with her. The older princess waved at the last guests to enter the hall. Fluttershy was close enough to hear her murmur, “Well, that sounds wonderful. How are you going to expose the impostors?” Twilight stood beside her old foalsitter, looking very regal in her crown and gown with a polite smile on her lips. “When Queen Chrysalis was impersonating you, I knew something was wrong because she didn’t know our special dance, and she certainly wasn’t loving like the real Cadance. Everypony has something that sets them apart, some secret or little quirk. If there’s a changeling in our midst, then they’ll have to slip up sooner or later.” “That’s very clever, Twily,” said Shining Armor. It amazed Fluttershy how he could whisper without hardly moving his lips. But he’d been Captain of the Royal Guard. He knew how to keep perfectly still. “But what about the Crystal Ponies?” “I don’t know them as well. They’re your subjects.” “If the Crystal Empire is in danger of being invaded,” Cadance suggested, “then perhaps we should postpone our trip.” “You and my brother should stay. The rest of us will go to Canterlot and find the spell to break the changelings’ illusions.” “Um, can we stop waving now?” Fluttershy asked. “My hoof is getting sore.” “Sorry,” Twilight whispered back. They all dropped their hooves in relief. Cadance turned to the young pegasus with a smile. “You must be Fluttershy. Twilight’s told me a lot about you.” She paused as Shining Armor put a hoof around her shoulders. “I’m so glad to see she’s found her special somepony.” Fluttershy’s cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson. “Oh, thank you, Princess.” “Please, call me Cadance.” “Th-thank you, Princess Cadance.” Twilight leaned over and nuzzled her. “It’s okay. You’re family now. The titles aren’t that big a deal.” Hearing that made Fluttershy’s heart swell. She smiled and nodded. I guess Twilight really does have this crisis under control. When the feast had finally begun, everypony sat down and listened to Cadance’s speech about the Element of Patience and the great honor her husband had received. Twilight was only giving her sister-in-law half her attention. The other half was spent looking over her friends. Everypony has a secret. Something that nopony else but a true friend would know. “Hey, Pinkie Pie,” she whispered. “Did you remember to bring your party cannon?” “Of course I did!” the pink pony cheerfully whispered back. “Ooh, I think I see a spot that’s missing a few decorations! Be right back!” She slipped under the table with a goofy smile. It wasn’t Pinkie Pie. She’d never be caught dead without her party cannon, even if nopony else could see it. It would take a very talented changeling to copy her randomness. To her right, Fluttershy gently nudged Rainbow Dash. “Um, I was going to ask if you needed any help with Tank when we get back to Ponyville. If that’s all right with you…” The blue pegasus blushed. “Fluttershy! Not so loud!” Twilight watched her lean in and whisper, “I don’t want anypony to think I’m some kinda softie!” “But I think it’s cute the way you two—” “If you say one word about rubbing noses, so help me, I’ll—!” “Meep!” The yellow pegasus ducked her head. “I’m sorry! Please don’t be mad at me!” Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. It didn’t look like Rainbow Dash either. She was proud—and, at times, quite the prankster—but she was still kindhearted. Not many ponies knew about her pet turtle and how Fluttershy had often spied them being adorable together. “…and so, I thank you all for being here to share this special night,” Cadance was saying. “Feel free to share in this feast in honor of the love this empire is built on!” The room burst into stamping and cheering. Twilight stamped her hooves for a moment, then turned back to her friends, who were starting on their dinner. Except for Pinkie Pie, who was shooting more confetti and streamers into the far corners of the hall. The only ones still unaccounted for were Rarity and Applejack. “Ugh, this fish isn’t agreeing with me,” Rarity was saying. She dropped her napkin and pushed her chair back. “Excuse me, girls. I have to use the little filly’s room.” “Don’t know what yer talkin’ about,” Applejack replied, still chewing her mouthful of fish and vegetables. “This here’s some of the best grub I ever ate!” “Oh!” Rarity stamped her hooves in dismay. “Applejack, that’s horrid! I can’t bear another second of it!” She turned up her nose and trotted off gracefully. Fluttershy watched her leave, then turned to Twilight. “Um, maybe I should follow her?” “Good thinking. Be careful.” The yellow pegasus smiled and winked. She gently flapped herself out of her chair and flew after Rarity from a safe distance. Twilight took a careful sip of punch as she considered her two friends. On the one hand, Rarity’s absence could be counted as suspicious. But that was no reason to discount Applejack either. There was only one way to find out. “Hey, AJ.” Twilight scooted her chair over and smiled at the orange pony. “Can I ask you something?” Applejack swallowed her mouthful and sighed. “Sure thing, Twilight.” “Do you think Big Macintosh will let me borrow Smarty Pants for a while?” “Now what would you want with that old thing?” Twilight blinked. “What do you mean, ‘that old thing’? It was my doll, remember?” Applejack stared. Then she blushed and grinned. “Oh, yeah! How could I forget? Course it’s fine! I mean, it’s yer doll, ain’t it?” Celestia help me, Twilight prayed. It’s her. A few moments later, Fluttershy flew back and landed beside Twilight. She leaned in to kiss her on the cheek, then whispered quickly, “It’s not Rarity. She seems fine to me.” “I know,” Twilight answered softly. “You do?” Then, as Fluttershy looked at Applejack, her eyes widened. “Oh, no…”