Chapter 12 Meeting Royalty
"Then that settles it. Pack yer bags girls, we're goin to Canterlot." Rainbow grinned fiercely, I don't know exactly what we're up against but I know that at least one of us is ready. With a quick thrust of our wings we take to the skies quickly zooming through the warm morning air back to a familiar home in the clouds. We land on the puffy cloud that makes up the front yard and push open the door.
"Tank!" A buzzing grinding noise echoes out drifting down from the stairwell from across the house. Rainbow frowns and quickly flies up the stairs, of the four doors along the hallway only one is open, the bedroom. We go inside and scan the room for a few seconds, suddenly the blankets wiggle about and the buzzing noise comes again seemingly from the bed itself. We trot over to the bed and move the blanket to discover Tank. The intrepid tortoise grins as he looks up at us from his fluffy prison. Somehow the little guy had gotten a propeller tangled in the sheets. "There you are." We quickly free him earning a nuzzle from the tortoise. "I've got to go to Canterlot for a little while so I'm going to leave plenty of food out for you, don't eat it all at once okay?" The tortoise nods and Rainbow smiles, she nuzzles the tortoise before flying back downstairs and getting out enough food to feed Tank for a few days.
With that done we head back upstairs and pull saddlebags out from under the bed. The saddlebags are a deep blue color and have Rainbow's cutie mark emblazoned onto the flaps. Rainbow casually tosses them over our shoulder and they land perfectly onto our back. 'Showoff.' Rainbow smirks as we head over to the only storage space in the room, the dresser. We pull open the top drawer and look inside, within is an expertly woven rainbow scarf, a blue Wonderbolts cap, and four also expertly woven rainbow colored socks.
'You have an entire dresser but the only articles of clothing you own are a scarf a hat and socks?' I feel heat rise to our face as Rainbow blushes and quickly closes the drawer.
"I.. I uh... don't need to pack anything anyway!" Rainbow says a little too quickly grabbing her saddlebags with our mouth, canvas tastes really weird by the way, and tossing them back under the bed.
'Psh your acting like those socks are something more than just hoofwear. I mean come on it's not like you guys wear clothes anyway.' Her only response is more heat in our cheeks as her blush intensifies. Processing data...working...connecting dots...done. 'Oh...oh! Nevermind then.' Rainbow nods before taking to the air once more, we fly out the window because who needs doors when you can fly anyway? A minute of awkward silence later finds us landing next to Twilight and Pinkie Pie who are already waiting in front of the library with their own custom saddlebags hanging from their backs.
Twilight glances at us and raises an eyebrow. "Not bringing anything with you to Canterlot Rainbow?" We nervously smile at the naturally curious mare.
"N..no." Twilight continues to stare at us for a few moments before shrugging seemingly satisfied with our answer and going back to listening to Pinkie Pie recount the dream she had last night and the adventure she had in it. A few minutes later, as Pinkie was just about to save the universe from the dreaded army of attack kittens with her party cannon and an infinite supply of cupcakes, Fluttershy and Rarity both arrive each carrying their own saddlebags across their backs. Rarity looked stunning, for a pony anyway, in the time she was gone she had managed to restyle her mane adding many more curls and even using a conditioner of sorts to make it almost shine in the sunlight. But that wasn't all she also now wore a dress it was blue with a golden saddle and had frills around the collar. Her horn glowed as well as several small bags that floated around her head and what I assumed was Spike huffed along behind her carrying several large cases that completely blocked the little dragon from view.
"Spike? Is that you under all that?" I ask the large cases that plop to the ground a moment later and a panting baby dragon steps around to greet us.
*pant* "Don't *pant* worry about me. *pant* I'll be fine. *pant* Anything for lady Rarity." Spike stares dreamily at said unicorn. 'Poor kid, he's got the love bug.' moments later his eyes turn into hearts and he starts to float up into the air nearly a foot off the ground. 'I realllly hope that's normal.' I mentally shudder as we turn to face his center of attention.
"Rarity isn't this a little much for an emergency?" Rarity looks upon us with horror clear upon her face as she quickly splutters out a response.
"If you must know, I left behind all but the most essential of things."
"Those are essential sugarcube?" Applejack says as she trots up behind us her eyebrow raised and her own orange saddlebag resting on her flank.
"But of course, a lady must always be prepared for anything after all." Rarity closes her eyes and fluffs her mane as the rest of us roll our eyes. Twilight glances quickly at the clock tower near the center of town and frowns as the clock strikes 8:45.
"Come on girls if we don't hurry we'll miss the next train to Canterlot." Twilight starts off in a quick trot and we all quickly follow suit. The love struck Spike quickly picks up the large cases and floats along close behind Rarity seemingly no longer affected by their immense weight. Upon arrival at the train station Twilight quickly trades a few words and a small bag of bits with the ticket mare for six one way tickets. Twilight uses her magic to pass one to each of us as we make our way through the station entrance.
The station is small but nice in its own quaint little way, while the building is painted a nice lavender color that is slightly faded from the weather the overhang is made of wood and covered in a layer of thatch, the platform itself is relatively small no more than twenty feet across but more than big enough for the relatively unlively station. The train which was already waiting on the tracks was colorful to say the least with many different decorations adorning its various colorful cars. The engine marked in black paint was dubbed the Friendship Express. '...too corny for comment.'
Over by the front of the train the conductor, who was a light blue stallion with a short black mane and mutton chops. He wore a dark blue vest with a red tie and a blue cap with a red sash. He readjusted the spectacles he wore upon his nose as he checked his pocket watch. "All aboard! Last call for Canterlot!" We trot over to the stallion and show him our tickets, after a quick inspection he punched our tickets and stepped aside to allow us passage. The others start filtering in one by one as a purple hoof stops Spike from boarding.
"But Twilight-" Twilight cut him off with a look that sent a shiver down our spine.
"No Spike, Discord is far too dangerous for me to just let you come along. I could never forgive myself if anything happened to you."
"But what if you need me?"
"Then I'll have Princess Celestia send for you at once." Spike crossed his arms and locked Twilight in a fierce gaze, Twilight returned his gaze and raised him a disapproving frown. The battle of wills lasted but a short few moments before the scaly assistant looked away in defeat.
"Take good care of the library for me until we get back ok?" The purple dragon looked up at Twilight his eyes starting to water.
"Y..you got it Twilight. Just make sure you stay safe, alright? The place just isn't the same without you around." Twilight's expression softens as she pulls him into a hug.
"I'll miss you too Spike." The teary embrace ends and we board the train with Rarity's bags held in tow by Twilight's magic. We look back as the door closes behind us, the little dragon waves us off before heading for the station exit. Although we are the only ponies to board the train the cars are already filled to the brim with ponies of various color, clothing, and race. While we observe the crowded car searching for the others, Twilight taps our shoulder, directing our attention to the door on the far end of the car where a very terrified yellow pegasus was making feeble attempts to wave us over. Unfortunately in order to make it over to the other side we had to pass through the sea of travelers many of which were moving about the cabin hustling and bustling and creating obstacles of themselves.
"Oi! Watch it!"
"Sorry."
"Be more careful where you step please, yah?"
"My bad."
"Pffh! Keep your feathers to yourself!"
"Oops." We pass through the pony filled car and rejoin with our friends in the next car where we find that it is completely devoid of other travelers. The others settle in, depositing their bags on the provided luggage racks. The train whistle sounds loudly marking our departure from the station. The train lurches forward as it starts to move, quickly picking up speed as it rolls faster and faster down the tracks towards it's next destination, Canterlot. With everyponies bags stowed away for the time being we all gather around Twilight.
Applejack has a hoof on her hat as she speaks in a worried tone. "Do ya reckon we'll make it in time Twi?"
Twilight looks back at us all worriedly fear flashing across her normally vibrant purple eyes. "We have to, if we don't there's no telling what kind of chaos Discord will cause." Applejack pulls off her hat and gulps as the mood in the car begins to darken. Then like a light was switched on, Pinkie, for just a split second got a very determined look in her eyes before it was hidden behind a broad smile.
"Silly fillies!" Pinkie bounced into the center of the group looking at each of us in turn as she continued. "That meany mcmeanerpants can't win! We've got a secret weapon!"
"We do?" We all say in unison as we look incredulously at the bubbly pink mare whose cheery smile is starting to become infectious.
"Well duh! Isn't it obvious?" Our blank stares don't seem to phase Pinkie. "Kevin!" The silence that followed was almost palpable so with my own obvious question in mind I ended it.
"Me?" They all stare at us and we stare at Pinkie with mouths not quite hanging open and a look of incredulity plastering all our faces.
"Him?" Twilight seems to be the most shocked of us all and only manages to parrot my own question.
"Yuhuh!" Pinkie grins while shaking her head up and down hard enough to make her own eyes spin around when she stops.
"How is Kevin supposed to help? It's not like he can do anything when he's stuck inside of my head. No offense Kevin."
"None taken. I am pretty useless in here."
Pinkie waves a hoof dismissively. "Oh that's easy! Discord wants to be free."
"We already know that Pinkie, I don't think anypony would want to be a lawn ornament."
"But he 's a meany."
"Which is why we blast him with the elements and make him stay a lawn ornament anyway."
"He'll try to stop us."
"So he'll try to zap us with his chaos magic again and we'll go all anti harmony and stuff so we won't be friends anymore and we can't use the elements on him." 'Lawn ornaments? Zapped? Anti harmony? Just what are we getting into?'
"Kevin can harmonize Rainbow! Then Rainbow can harmonize us!" Pinkie grins widely as she stares at Twilight expectantly.
Twilight frowns and shakes her head. "Pinkie that's crazy how is Kevin supposed to even try to keep up with... oh."
"Now you're getting it!"
"He doesn't need to keep up, because Rainbow can never get away from him in the first place! Pinkie your ingenious!"
"I'm igneous? I'm a rock? Ooh can I rock!?" Pinkie hops up onto her hind legs and pulls an electric guitar from behind her back and strums a few chords. 'But, hooves?' Perplexed doesn't even begin to describe how watching the things that mare can do will make any sane at least semi-normal being feel.
"No Pinkie!"
"Aww." Pinkie sets the guitar down and crosses her forelegs in response.
"So Rainbow can't get away from me. Great, how does that help?" The others fall silent as Pinkie rubs the back of her neck.
Applejack steps forward and places a hoof on our shoulder. "I'm sure you can think of somethin sugarcube."
"So, the backup plan for if things go wrong is for me to wing it and hope we don't all die?" Pinkie nods enthusiastically as the others stare blankly at Pinkie and Twilight just frowns. "Excellent at least were all on the same page." 'Well we're all going to die, and it's going to be my fault... greeaat.' "So Twilight, how long until we get to this Canterlot?" Twilight tilts her head slightly as she thinks.
"Canterlot is the capitol of Equestria and where the Princesses live and work. The Friendship Express is due to arrive in Canterlot at exactly 10:45 AM give or take a few minutes. Barring any unforeseen circumstances we will be met by an escort that will take us to the castle, but we'll have to hurry when we get there, we have no idea when Discord will break free so we need to be ready for when he does, therefore we should get some rest before we arrive." We all nod our heads in understanding and split up to claim seats, Rarity and Fluttershy sit down together at the back of the car as they begin whispering quietly about something. Meanwhile Pinkie Pie and Applejack find seats across from each other as they start a debate about who makes the best pie. Twilight frowns and moves away from the group choosing to take a seat near the front of the car, where she stares out of the window silently.
Rainbow trots over to an empty corner and lays down on the bench. "We have a while until we get there so I'm gonna take a nap." She lays our head down on our hooves somehow manages to immediately fall asleep. 'How does she do that?' Rubbing our head in wonder I stand us back up and look over to Twilight who is still staring out of the window, the city still steadily approaching in the distance. With nothing better to do I trot over and sit down next to her. Twilight is so engrossed in her own inner musings that she gives no response to our arrival, although now that I can see her face I notice the worry and frustration that are fighting for dominance across it. 'This spirit of chaos must have really rattled her last time he showed up.'
"Hey Twilight." I try speaking softly so as not to startle her.
"..." No reaction from her not even a twitch.
"Twilight." I try a little louder.
"..." One of her ears twitch but she still does not react.
"Twilight!" I nearly shout as I place a hoof on her shoulder.
"AH!" Twilight jumps and spins around to face us as her face quickly goes from shock and fear to anger and then embarrassment as she formulates a response. "Rainbow? Sorry I'm just, a little distracted right now."
"Rainbow hit the snooze button. She was out just like that!" I raise a hoof to snap my... 'Oh yeah, no fingers.' Twilight smiles a little while I glare at the offending hoof.
"That sounds like Rainbow alright." Her smile quickly fades away to be replaced by a frown.
"Are you going to be okay Twilight? You look pretty down."
"It's just... the last time Discord broke free he almost destroyed Equestria as we know it. He nearly drove apart my friends just for fun! I...I'm afraid. I'm scared that this time he won't fail, and I'm terrified that this time he'll take my friends away forever. I... I don't want to lose my friends, I don't want to be alone again." Twilight slumps with her eyes closed as a tear rolled down her muzzle.
"Hey, cheer up Twi." I place a hoof under her chin and raise her face up to look us in the eyes, Twilight opens her eyes to look at us. "You know, I've only been here about a week, and I still don't know jack squat about this world of yours. But, If anypony can kick that dude's butt, I'm sure you six can. And besides." I shrug and give her a sly grin. "Like Pinkie said, this time around you guys have me to back you up so I'm sure we can do this no sweat." I give Twilight's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. 'What did I just squeeze with?!' I almost stop to stare at our hooves again but remember that I already tried that and didn't learn anything from the uncooperative appendages.
Twilight wipes away the tear her frown not quite leaving. "Thanks for the vote of confidence Kevin. But, I still don't know how we're going to beat him. The last time he showed up he didn't think we would be able to stop him so he gave us a free shot, twice. But this time, this time he won't be so overconfident."
"Then we'll just have outsmart him, I mean come on, I have never met anypony as smart as Twilight Sparkle I'm sure she can think of something." Twilight sits up and I let our hooves fall back to our sides.
"I'm not so sure I can do this. What if I can't think of something? What if Discord zaps Rainbow and you get affected too? What if-" I place a hoof on her runaway mouth silencing any further protests.
"No more what ifs."
"But what about-" I cut her off again.
"No Twilight, what you need to do right now is focus. I know you can do this." I wave a hoof towards the others. "They know you can do this. So tell me, what do you need to do to beat him?"
"In order to defeat Discord we have to hit him with the elements of harmony." Twilight taps the bench lightly with her hoof.
"And how are you going to do that?"
"I..." Her hoof rises and her mouth hangs slightly ajar as she takes a moment to think. "If we can, somehow trick him into letting his guard down, even if it's just for a few seconds.. then we can hit him with the elements of harmony."
I smile and nod to the now smiling lavender mare. "See! There you go already." I turn to go but a hoof on our shoulder stops us. I turn back around to face Twilight.
"Thanks." I smile and she smiles back before turning to stare out the window again this time deep in thought. With nothing else to do and the pie debate still unresolved I decide to join Rainbow for a quick nap.
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO With a yelp we jump up into the air our eyes immediately snapping open. In the brief moment before gravity begins to take effect we take in the scene around us, through the window I can see that the sun is still shining but the platform was new. Inside the coach which was housing five other ponies now only Applejack remained, she stood watching us from a few feet away with a mix between a smile and a gasp on her face. With our moment over we ungracefully fall back to the ground as gravity reassert itself over us, we narrowly miss the bench we had previously been sleeping on instead managing to land in a heap on the floor.
"Gyah! What the hay was that!?"
"Jus the train whistle sugar, you okay?" We look up to see an orange hoof extended down to us.
"I'm fine just... startled is all." Rainbow accepts AJ's helping hoof and stands us back up. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it sugarcube. Now come on, the others are waitin on us." Applejack walks past us to the door sliding it open with her hooves before heading out, we follow just behind her and after Applejack steps down onto the platform I finally see it. The city of Canterlot, grand capital of Equestria, and home to the bigwigs of this society. Tall white marble buildings stretch into the sky on both sides of the large cobblestone street. Fancy ornaments and decorations made of gold, silver, and other precious metals adorn many of the buildings and cause much of the city to glimmer in the sunlight. But by far the most regal building of all sits far down at the end of what must be the main thoroughfare, the buildings tall towers and banners easily mark it as the home of pony leadership. The walls and large gate also help to distinguish it from the other large manors nearby as a place not just anypony can just waltz into.
The ponies of the city who strut about with their heads held high are mostly unicorns with a few earth ponies and pegasi scattered about, all are dressed in either a fancy suit or a dress. Top hats, monocles and sun hats grace the streets as far as the eye can see. But before my mind can start to swim from all of the unrestrained fanciness strutting about with little care, Applejack sets off over towards four familiar ponies. Standing just outside the stations exit they were busy conversing with three more unfamiliar ponies. These unfamiliar ponies all wore armor, two of them carried spears and were clad in ornamental golden armor. Of them one was a grey unicorn and the other was a white pegasus. They stood stoically a few feet behind the third pony, this pony was a white unicorn but he seemed to stand a little bit taller than the rest from within his shining purple armor. As we trot over to them he removed his helmet revealing a flowing blue mane with a lighter blue streak and smiled as he waved us over.
"Rainbow Dash! It's great to see you again! What have you been getting up to lately?" We bump hooves and step back.
"Hey Shining Armor! Or should I call you Prince Armor now?"
"Shining Armor is fine. No need for any formalities with you six. Especially not my little sister." Shining Armor wraps a leg around Twilight and pulls her into against his chest. 'Twilight has a brother? Wait, Prince!?'
"I've been training for the Future Bolts Competition! It was going to be soo awesome, but it doesn't look like I'll be able to make it." 'Twilight never said she was related to the fucking royalty!'
"Yeah he..." Shining Armor's eyes dart around as he scans the crowd all around us. "Has some really bad timing. But enough chit chat we need to get to the castle the Princesses are expecting you."
"He? You mean Dismph!" Rainbow was cut off as a white hoof attached to a purple armored pony found itself inside our mouth. 'Blegh! Now I know how Pinkie feels, it tastes like dirt.'
"Shhh! Don't say his name out in public we don't want to cause a panic." He hisses quietly and in a commanding tone. Rainbow nods and he removes his hoof.
"Ugh! Did you have to shove your hoof in my mouth? Bleh!" Rainbow grumbles as she tries to remove the taste of dirt and sweat from our mouth, it didn't work.
"Yeah! Come on man we don't know where that's been!"
"Sorry but... who said that? Stallions!" The two guards tense up and rush to the other side of our group their eyes darting about as they search about for any unwelcome extra members to our group. Twilight opens her mouth to speak but is hushed when Shining Armor raises his hoof. "See anything?"
"No sir." They say in unison as they continue to look about for anything suspicious. Shining Armor turned to Twilight with a questioning look in his eyes as his face remains stoic.
"As I was about to say before I was interrupted." She glares as Shining Armor who grins sheepishly in response. "That voice you heard was Kevin, and don't bother to look for him you won't find him."
Shining Armor raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"
"Because he is currently trapped inside of Rainbow Dash's mind."
"Wha-"
"I'm not done. He is an extra dimensional being that I accidentally summoned here with a communication spell." Shining Armor stared, and stared, and stared some more. He continued to stare for about a minute as even the stoic guards stopped scanning the surrounding crowd to gawk at us although the unicorn guard was the first to simply shrug and go back to watching the crowd.
"You mean... somepony...is in her head?" Shining stuttered as he raised his hoof, quickly moving it back and forth between Twilight and us like his life depended on it.
"Don't worry he's harmless. And besides I'll be sending him back home as soon as I finish the return spell."
"I...uh... alright, you know what fine. Rainbow has another pony in her head. Certainly isn't the weirdest thing Twily's done."
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
"Anyway yes it is something like that." Shining Armor sighs and rubs his head with a hoof while the pegasus guard continues to stare at us. Rainbow starts to fidget under his scrutinous stare, becoming uncomfortable from the sudden attention.
"Hey buddy keep your eyes to yourself." The guard didn't react at first, at least not until a grey hoof impacted the back of his head. The guard grinned sheepishly before turning away. With Rainbow eyeing him nervously the entire time.
"You'll need to explain the situation to the Princesses when we get to the castle. Moving along, he." Shining Armor emphasized with air quotes amazingly not falling on his face in the process. "Needs to stay hush hush, need to know ponies only. Got it?" Shining Armor turned to Pinkie Pie who literally zipped her lips shut locked it and threw the key off into the distance. 'Jaw meet floor, laws of physics have a nice vacation.' "O...k. Lets get going then." The girls gather their bags as Shining Armor in his shining armor led the way down the street. The golden guards move to flank us keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity. The fancily dressed ponies part before us as we trot, they watch our group warily always keeping a particular eye on the Prince. The buildings we pass all range from small stores to residential buildings and apartments all the way up to workshops and manor houses complete with hedges. As we begin to near the castle gates an aristocratic voice calls out to us that causes Rarity's eyes to light up.
"Do my eyes deceive me? Is that Lady Rarity?" Our group stops to face the source of the voice.
A well dressed white unicorn stallion flanked by a white coated pink maned unicorn mare stood smiling at our group. The unicorn guard moves to stand between us and them as a smiling Rarity trots forward past the guard to greet them. "Mr. Fancy Pants! And the lovely Fleur, how are you darling?"
The mare nervously smiles. "Hello." Fancy Pants smiled at his companion even as she shrunk away behind him.
"I'm doing quite splendidly my dear, although I am a bit worn."
"Oh? And why is that?"
"It seems you made quite the impression with the upper crust here in Canterlot. Since your last visit to Canterlot the ponies here have been clamoring for more of your designs. And seeing as I was the one closest to you during your last stay naturally they assume that I must know all about you and your work." Fancy Pants smiled. "But do you know what I told them?"
"And what is that dear?"
"I told them that lady Rarity resides down in the quaint little town of Ponyville of course! And that if they wanted a Rarity original they would need to go and speak to you. Oh but they scarcely believed me, they said that it was crazy for such a refined mare to be living so far from Canterlot. Away from 'civilized' society."
"Oh they didn't."
"They did. But who is this with you today?"
"Oh where are my manners these are my friends." She said gesturing to our group. Fancy Pants scanned our group until a look of recognition crossed his face as it settled on Twilight.
"Ah yes the charmingly rustic bunch from the garden party awhile back. I remember that charmingly simple dress you made for what was it? Ah yes a birthday. Quite generous of you." Rarity blushed a little as she recalled said event.
"Quite right darling. Certainly not one of my better moments." Rarity mumbled under her breath.
"So what brings you to Canterlot my dear? Are you here to reveal a new Rarity original?"
"Oh I wish but no, something far more serious has come up and I simply do not have the time to talk about it right now. If I find some time later though we simply must have a proper chat." Fancy Pants looked our group over slowly before locking eyes with a rather annoyed Prince.
"Ah! Business with the royalty then? I understand, I hope to see you later tata!" The white unicorn trot away with his female companion close behind. With no more distractions we set off once more for the castle.
"That mare doesn't talk much does she?"
"Who? Fleur? Yes she does tend to shy away from the public eye whenever possible nowadays. A shame really she was such a lovely model. But you don't seem to talk to many other ponies all that much yourself dear."
"It's not easy to be very social when your just baggage for a pony to carry around. At least you guys can understand what I'm going through."
"Yes, there is that isn't there." Rarity went silent as she was deep in thought. Rainbow noticed and picked up the pace to move to the front of the group, we passed Fluttershy, who was trying to hide from the eyes of the surrounding crowd from behind her mane and in between Applejack and Pinkie Pie, both of which were once again debating pie, and then on up to where Twilight was talking to Shining Armor.
"And then Rainbow flew in to tell me that the spell did work."
"So he has been inside of Rainbow's mind for almost a week?"
"Yes, and I'm getting worried. If I can't figure out the return spell soon we'll have to resort to more drastic measures. He can't stay in there forever."
"I hope it doesn't come to that."
'Hold on did she say drastic?'
"Hey!" Rainbow shouted as we flew forward and landed with a thump right behind the two unicorns. Twilight and Shining Armor stop and turn around to face us as the rest of the group inadvertently runs into us from behind creating a literal ponypile.
"What in tarnation!"
"Oh my!"
"WEEE!"
"Ah!"
Rainbow lifts Fluttershy off of us. "Ow." And we get back to our hooves slowly as we shake off the impact. We stomp towards the confused unicorns with a glare that would cause a manticore to back down. "Nopony is going to be doing anything drastic to Kevin! We promised to get him home and I won't let you back out now!" With one final stomp we stop our advance at mere inches from them, all the while Twilight's eyes are closed as she replays the last few minutes over and over to come up with a response. Then suddenly a gasp as it clicks and her eyes snap open, pupils wide with horror.
"I..its not how it sounds!" From behind a series of gasps break the silence that follows.
"Then tell me what it sounds like because it doesn't sound very good to me!" Twilight shrank away from us as she continued to work her jaw in an attempt to respond.
"Me neither!" Rainbow shouted as Shining Armor stepped between us and Twilight. Shining placed his hoof on our shoulder and spoke in a low and commanding tone.
"This is neither the time or the place to make a scene. Twily can explain everything later at the castle when we don't have a third of Canterlot watching, but in the meantime you need to chill out." Around us most of the nearby ponies have stopped whatever they were previously doing to stare at us. Any anger we still had shrunk away from the sight. Shining Armor's gaze softened as he looked back to check on his sister, before hardening into the scowl of a rather pissed big brother as he returned his gaze to us. "Am I understood?" I look past him to Twilight who was nearly in tears as she shrunk down onto the cobble below.
"Yes sir."
Rainbow crossed our hooves as we took to the air and hovered overhead. "I'm gonna go... clear my head or something, I'll catch up with you guys later." With a furious stroke of our wings we began a rapid ascension.
From down below I faintly hear somepony shout. "Rainbow wait!" Either Rainbow doesn't hear or no longer cares as we don't stop until we reach the cloud layer. From below we can just make out Shining Armor and the girls in the streets below.
"Nothing to see here go back to your business!" Faintly I hear Shining Armor shout before he turns back to his sister in an attempt to comfort her as the others crowd around her, presumably to find out just what happened. Twilight shakes her head and heads towards the castle with the others in tow. From our vantage point we can see the entirety of the city as well as much of the surrounding countryside, while the view is great my attention is drawn away from all of it as Rainbow herself goes through several emotions in rapid succession.
"RrrrrrAAAHHH!" Rainbow slams our hoof onto a nearby cloud easily dispersing it into nothing. With a maniacal grin we eye all of the remaining clouds, a mere moment later Rainbow lets out a war cry that shakes the air and creates the illusion that the clouds were shaking with fear before us. With one final roar we tear into them with lightning speed smashing and bashing all that floated before us. One minute and several dozen clouds later we land atop the only remaining cloud, panting as sweat dripped from our brow and down a cheek.
'We should go back, they still need you.'
"Yeah." We look out over the edge of the cloud to the crowded streets below. Even with the rush of lunch hour the girls are easy to spot, the ponies around them part before the guards giving them a wide berth. A few steps and deep breath, Rainbow walks off the edge of the cloud. With our wings tight against our sides we plummet, as we quickly approach the ground Rainbow spreads our wings wide catching the air like a parachute and leveling us off at building height. Using our remaining momentum we soar over the streets of Canterlot over markets and stalls and the ponies themselves as they go about their day completely oblivious to our passing. As the gate to the castle comes into view so too does Shining Armor and the group, we swoop in from overhead and come to a complete stop, before folding our wings back to our sides and falling the last few feet to the ground right next to Fluttershy.
"Eep!" The timid yellow pegasus jumps as we land with a thud. She looks over fearfully but relaxes when she sees us.
Rainbow smiles sheepishly. "Sorry Fluttershy." Fluttershy smiled back letting us know that we were forgiven.
"Halt!" We all stop at the command as we turn our attention to the guard who issued it. Standing next to the gate spear in hoof a brown coated earth pony who was clad in the same golden armor as his comrades went wide eyed and quickly saluted. "Prince Shining Armor sir! Welcome back!" Shining Armor crisply saluted the stallion in return.
"Keep an eye on everypony while I go inform the Princess personally of our arrival." The guard lowered his hoof and nodded as he went back to being stoic. Shining Armor trot through the gate and across the castle yard swiftly disappearing through the main door.
"MM MM MMM MM!" Pinkie attempted to shout as she bounced in front of the guard while smiling creepily at him through the zipper across her mouth. He visibly shrank back from the attack on his personal space as he attempted to stutter a response.
"W.. wh...what?" Twilight sighed and with a quick spell the zipper and lock were removed from Pinkie's face.
"Thanks Twilight!" Pinkie turns back to the guard and takes a deep breath, he takes a step back in an attempt to get some distance from the pink pony.
"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! What's your name?" Surprise was clear on his face as he quickly tried to regain his long lost composure.
"M...my name is Hard Rock but my friends call me Rocky."
"Oooh! Hi Rocky! Can I be your friend?"
"Uh yeah I guess." The guard relaxed a little as Pinkie refrained from spewing out words like their was no tomorrow but quickly tensed as he was enveloped in a massive hug courtesy of his newest friend.
"Yippee!"
"Sergeant Rock!" Rocky quickly attempted to scramble out of Pinkie's iron grip but to no avail, and he stopped squirming after a few seconds. A quick look in the direction of the shout revealed a pink unicorn mare who was standing on a nearby balcony. She backed off a bit before rushing forwards and leaping over the railing. 'Holy shit!' Before spreading open her wings and gliding the rest of the way down to us. "Why didn't you tell me they had arrived?" 'Wings and horn... the fuck?'
"They just arrived Princess Cadence." 'A Princess!? Her?'
"Cadence!" Twilight shouts, a quick glance to where she was standing previously revealed nothing but empty air, quickly looking back over to the winged unicorn I found Twilight in the midst of performing a silly dance with her.
"Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake!" They crouch down with their forehooves as they wave their tail ends back and forth through the air. Before moving to sit on their rumps and clapping their hooves together.
"Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" They end with large smiles plastered across their faces as they embrace each other in a warm hug.
"...what just happened?" From our peripheral vision a stetson floated along beside us bringing with it its orange apple farming owner.
"Cadence used to foalsit Twi here when she was just a little foal. That right there was a game they used to play." After a minute of hugging they release each other. Princess Cadence smiles as she trots over to our little group stopping in front of each pony in turn to greet them personally, she continued until she got to us. As soon as she stepped up to us her hooves faltered stopping her in her tracks, her smile faded away immediately being replaced by a small frown.
"Hi Princess!" Rainbow excitedly stuck out a hoof towards Princess Cadence undeterred by Princess Cadence's lack of enthusiasm.
"Rainbow Dash?" Noticing her frown Rainbow pulled back our hoof as she tilt our head to the side as we stared at her confused.
"Cadence?" Princess Cadence shut her eyes squeezing them tight in concentration her horn flickered briefly for a few moments glowing brightly in a pink aura. 'That's weird.'
"I sense..." Princess Cadence started before she shook her head quickly. "No it couldn't be." Cadence looked us over again taking in every last bit of detail.
"Is something wrong?"
"No nothing, I just thought I felt something... off." Cadence smiled awkwardly as she continued watching us.
"Oh... are we okay then?"
"Yes. Fine. But we should be going now, to the throne room, I'm sure Princess Luna will be very happy to see you." Cadence started to turn towards the castle. But was stopped when a slightly worried purple unicorn spoke up.
"Isn't Princess Celestia going to greet us?" Cadence looked over to Twilight.
"Under any other circumstance you know she would Twilight but Princess Celestia is in the gardens right now. Last I saw she was trying to bolster the seal on Discord." Twilight frowned and nodded, and Cadence smiled at her warmly. "Don't worry Twilight, Princess Celestia has been around long enough to have a few tricks ready for mean old Discord." Twilight gulped before nodding again and looking at the ground.
"Y..yeah."
"Aw cheer up Twi I'm sure the Princess'll be fine." The apple farmer placed a reassuring hoof on Twilight's shoulder earning a weak smile and a quiet pause. That stretched on, and on, and on. Until finally Rainbow couldn't take it anymore.
"AHHHHHH! Can't we just go inside already!?" Rainbow stomped our hoof onto the cobble road as we easily took to the air. We swooped over the yard and right up to the large wooden doors of the castle. "Lets just goooOAA!" As we go to push the massive wooden doors open, instead of meeting the resistance created by attempting to push open very large very heavy doors. We instead push forward into open air as the massive doors swing open seemingly on their own. This in turn causes us to fall forward and crash into a very nonplussed purple armored pony and easily bowling him over.
"Rainbow while I appreciate your enthusiasm can you please get off of me?" Rainbow blushes and mutters an apology as we quickly get off of the Prince and help him to his hooves. Shining Armor brushes the dirt from his coat and rubs a speck of dirt from his armor as he stands up straight composing himself before in a very dignified tone addresses us. "Ladies, Cadence, Sergeant Rock, Kevin." He stares at us for a few moments at the mention of my name. 'He looks upset with us.'
"The Princess awaits." He gestures with a hoof into the castle proper as he steps to the side to allow entry.
"Finally!"
"Yippee!" Pinkie bounces happily into the castle with the rest of us close behind. Once inside I got a look at the entrance hall. A red carpet stretched from the entrance across the entire room, it went between several marble pillars and up a massive marble staircase that rose up to a second floor that led deeper into the castle. The walls were high and adorned in various carvings and the stained glass windows set into them cast many colorful shadows as they depicted ponies in various poses. The one of them near the end of the hall showed six familiar ponies enveloped in a bright light. Looking up the large room seemed to stretch into the sky as the ceiling domed fifty feet overhead. The dome, made of clear unstained glass revealed the still rising sun as it neared its apex for the day.
Pinkie continued to bounce across the room with her eyes closed as she started to hum an unfamiliar tune. Shining Armor shook his head at her antics smiling softly as he did. Princess Cadence walked up next to him a smile on her face. "The world could end but Pinkie Pie will always be Pinkie Pie."
"I couldn't agree with you more." Shining Armor pulled her closer with a hoof embracing the Princess tightly. She closed her eyes a smile never leaving her face. As Pinkie Pie reached the top of the stairs across the room she stopped and turned around finally realizing she was alone.
Pinkie looked around for a moment before spotting our group slowly walking across the hall. "Well? Come on everypony! The Princess is waiting!"
"Just how many Princesses do you ponies have?"
"Just three. Celestia, Luna, and... myself..." She trailed off as she looked over to us and not seeing what she was looking for moved her head to look behind us while looking very perplexed.
"Cadence? What are you doing?"
"I'm looking for the mystery stallion who asked that question, but I see that nopony is there."
"I'm right here." Princess Cadence's horn flickered several times when I spoke. Her jaw falling open as she stared at us in disbelief.
"Uh Princess?"
"..."
"Oh uh... I guess you haven't met Kevin yet have you?"
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance your highness."
"You mean he's not? Oh good." Our procession finally came to a halt as we reached the foot of two large and ornate wooden doors. The guards to either side nod to us, lighting up their horns and causing the doors to take on each of their respective magical auras as they opened partially.
"Huh?" The head of a small brown stallion in a gaudy medieval looking outfit peered around the door he looked at all of us in turn before turning to the far side of the room and announcing in a voice louder than I thought capable for a being his size.
"Presenting! To her majesty Princess Luna! The elements of harmony and their majesties Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor!" The doors swung the rest of the way open when he finished revealing the throne room itself. It was huge, not as big as the entrance hall but still quite large in and of itself, the marble walls were also inlaid with stained glass pictures although these all featured a cycle of the moon and sun. A bright red carpet led all the way up to the throne itself where a tired looking dark blue winged unicorn with silver regalia and a black crown sat hunched over and staring out a window. Her mane was a marvel in itself as it glowed and sparkled like the night sky. It flowed and swayed as if a gentle breeze that never stopped was blowing through it. 'Her hair it's like, like it's alive. Moving this way and that like magic... come to think of it, it must be magic.'
"Princess Luna!" 'That's Luna?' We crossed the room quickly so we would not have to shout.
"AH! TWILIGHT SPARKLE AND FRIENDS! YOU HAVE ARRIVED! IT BRINGS ME GREAT JOY TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN!" Although Princess Luna did so anyway, very very loudly.
"AHH! WHY ARE YOU YELLING!?" Princess Luna's horn flickered briefly startling her and the rest of us as she stared at us confused.
"I AM *ahem* I am sorry but most ponies choose to stay at a distance too great for a normal speaking tone. Now, TELL ME WHY I CAN SENSE CHAOS MAGIC ON YOU?! IS DISCORD FREE!? WHAT ABOUT CELESTIA? IS SHE OKAY? DID YOU HARM MY SISTER!?" Princess Luna continued to shouting at us throwing accusations that caused Rainbow's temper and frustration to come to a boil.
"BE QUIET!" Princess Luna stopped shouting as everypony else including the guards by the throne stopped to stare at us. Rainbow fixed them all with a glare that caused even the Princess to back off a step. "I have had it! First Twilight wants to abandon Kevin! And now you!? Accuse me!? The bucking element of bucking Loyalty! Of hurting Princess Celestia!? Of Betraying my friends!?"
"Rainbow-" Twilight started.
"Stow it Twilight, I'm still mad at you. And you!" We affix the blue winged unicorn with a dangerous glare. "I outta buck you in the head just for even thinking that I would ever betray my friends! But you know what? I'm done. See ya later." Twilight looked hurt but didn't try to stop us as Rainbow took to the air, Princess Luna on the other hoof...
"Thou shall not leave!" Princess Luna's horn lights up and we are engulfed in a navy blue aura the same as her horn.
"Let us go!" Rainbow squirms inside the magical grasp as the no longer frozen guards moved forward using their spears to block us should we escape the Princess's powerful magic.
"I shall not. Now tell me, who is this us?" Princess Luna frowned refusing to show any more emotion. As we are forced to stare into her piercing teal eyes.
Meanwhile In The Castle Gardens
Princess Celestia stood stock still, her horn was glowing and her face was scrunched up tight as she concentrated on the completion of a spell. "Nrrgh. Ah! There we go, that should hold him for a little while." Princess Celestia gave a weary sigh before sitting down to rest as a bead of sweat trickled down her face. "A good thing too, I'm beat." Princess Celestia wiped the sweat away as she cast her gaze down the mountainside.
A sudden commotion from the castle proper rouses her attention for a moment before a powerful surge of chaotic energy sweeps out from the castle flying over the gardens and heading straight for the statue of Discord. Princess Celestia's eyes go wide as they fill with grim a determination. Using the last of her strength she erects a quick magical barrier in an attempt to keep the chaotic energy from reaching the statue. Just as the shield completely surrounds the statue there is a bright flash of light as the chaotic energy slams into the barrier. For a few moments it holds as the two opposing forces push against one another, but it does not last. Princess Celestia's strength finally fails her causing the shield to shatter completely. "No..." The chaotic energy slams into the statue. A wicked laughter fills the air as the Princess's heart filled with dread.
