//------------------------------// // - XXVII - // Story: Solem Perditum // by PropMaster //------------------------------// - XXVII - Celestia lead the group of ponies towards the edge of town, keeping a slow pace that was easy for Rarity to maintain. The elderly mare had protested a few times, not wanting to be a burden to the group, but Celestia had simply smiled and maintained her easy stride. Light Stride stayed close to her, glancing worriedly back at Pinkie Pie and Rarity occasionally. Celestia was quietly glad for his silent company. Light Stride was the first to spot Rainbow Dash’s floating home. The rainbow-maned pegasus had indeed drawn her cloudt tower closer to the edge of the orchards, where it was anchored to a sturdy apple tree by a rope. Celestia was surprised. “She’s tied down her home? I always assumed pegasi preferred their cloud houses to float freely.” Pinkie Pie and Rarity glanced at each other with uncertainty. Rarity spoke up, “I always thought so as well. I don’t know why she’d want to stay in one place.” Light Stride shrugged. “I’m certain there’s a good explanation.” Nodding, Celstia gestured to Light Stride to come closer. “Stay here, and maintain spells of atmosphere and warmth. I know that Pinkie Pie and Rarity don’t seem to be struggling to breath, but they are still only illusions,” she murmured to the stallion. Light Stride nodded, his horn lighting up as he worked the spells to keep him safe in the airless environment, but he noted quietly, “You have noticed that the gravity here seems to be normalized, right? Maybe there is air here as well.” “I still don’t trust it. Be safe, I’ll return shortly.” Celestia stared up at the cloud house, floating four stories above her head, and frowned, wondering how she’d make it up. She shrugged and spread her wings, and gave a slow, experimental flap. They seemed to gain lift, the tingling in her flight feathers letting her know that there was, at least, something for them to work with. She stepped back, and then took a running start, leaping into the air and flapping her wings for all she was worth. She managed to get a dozen feet off the ground before her wings suddenly hit an invisible flight ceiling and she lost altitude. Growling, Celestia flapped harder, regaining the little bit of altitude she had lost, and then reached out with her horn. She grabbed a chunk of the edge of Rainbow Dash’s cloud foundation, pulling it away with a careful manipulation of the vaporous surface, and brought it down with her as she returned to the ground. She cast another spell, expanding the cloud’s surface by a few feet on every side, and then stood precariously atop the cloud. It bobbed in the air, threatening to throw her off, but she steadied herself with her wings. Casting a third spell, she increased the density of the cloud and increased the temperature around it, creating a miniature pressure system around the cloud that sent it rising into the air, with her perched atop it. Celestia surfed the cloud up to the level of Rainbow Dash’s home and leapt off, landing on the front step of the house. She replaced her stolen bit of cloud, and then stepped into the foyer of Rainbow Dash’s house. Inside was a bit messy, but liveable, feeling very comfortable without the muss or fuss of a more standard household. The foyer held a few cloud cushions, spaced around the area haphazardly. Celestia stepped around the strewn furniture and called into the interior. “Hello, Rainbow Dash? Are you home?” There was a grumble from inside, and a few moments later Rainbow Dash emerged, blinking blearily and rubbing at her scarlet eyes with one hoof. Her mane was mussed with a bad case of bedhead, and she looked like she hadn’t been sleeping well. Her eyes widened as she saw Celestia, and she yelped, dropping into a deep bow. “Princess Celestia!” “Hello, Rainbow Dash.” “I am grateful that you would deign to visit my humble home, Majesty. Please pardon the mess. Had I known you would be paying me a visit, I would have, uh, cleaned up a bit,” Rainbow Dash was visibly nervous, sweat already standing out, and her voice sounded unsteady. Celestia frowned. “Whatever is the matter?” “N-nothing, Majesty! I’m just...uh...surprised! Surprised that you’d come to visit me. Without notice. And prior inspection,” Rainbow Dash swallowed hard. “I didn’t realize that I would be imposing on you. I apolog—” Celestia found herself cut off as Rainbow Dash suddenly interrupted her. “No! Uh, that is, um, no, Your Majesty. I’m the one who apologizes. My home is in no condition to receive Your Royal Highness. You don’t have to apologize for anything. You’re perfect.” There was a long moment of silence before Celestia sighed and asked, “Rainbow Dash? Look at me, please.” “What?” asked Rainbow Dash, sounding startled. “You haven’t looked at me the entire time I’ve been here. I want you to look at me.” “I—um. I can’t... that is, uh, I don’t think I should.” Rainbow Dash stammered. “Rainbow Dash, you don’t have to bow. Please, stand up,” Celestia asked. Rainbow Dash straightened quickly, throwing herself into some semblance of military attention, still not looking at Celestia. Celestia smiled sadly. “Please, look at me.” Slowly, Rainbow Dash’s eyes shifted, until Celestia found herself staring once more into her scarlet eyes. After a moment, Rainbow Dash’s gaze shifted away, and she shivered. “What are you doing?” asked Celestia. “Averting my eyes, Your Highness,” Rainbow Dash said evenly. Celestia nodded. “I was honestly afraid you would say that. Why won’t you look at me, and why are you so nervous?” “I... I can’t help it!” Rainbow Dash blurted. “You’re a goddess! A diarch of our people! Immortal and powerful!” Celestia approached Rainbow Dash, who backed up. Celestia frowned, approaching faster, and Rainbow Dash retreated, backing away until her flank bumped into a wall. She trembled visibly, curling in on herself and crouching low as Celestia stood over her. Celestia sat down before the shaking pegasus pony and touched her gently on the cheek. Rainbow Dash’s eyes snapped open in shock, and she stared at Celestia’s hoof as she traced a line from her cheek to her chin, then pushed her head up to look at her. Celestia brought her head down until she was cheek to cheek with the overwhelmed Rainbow Dash, and nuzzled her gently. “You have no reason to fear me, and the respect you treat me with should only be that which I have earned. I am just a pony, like you, Rainbow Dash... and though I might rule, it is a lonely post that I have gained.” “Princess...” Rainbow Dash breathed, her shaking ceasing. “Please, Rainbow Dash. I know that I am your ruler... but I wish to be your friend, too. It is hard to separate me from my status, but please try. For me.” Rainbow Dash was silent for a moment, before she nodded. “O-okay. I’ll try.” “You honor me.” Celestia slowly stood up, and offered a hoof to Rainbow Dash. The pegasus pony took it with an uncertain smile, and allowed the Princess to help her to her hooves. “Um... so, Princess? Why are you here?” “I am gathering your friends together. I have need of your services once more,” Celestia explained. “Pinkie Pie and Rarity are waiting below, as well as one of my royal guards, Light Stride.” Rainbow Dash grinned. “Oh! Cool, yeah, of course I’ll help, Your Highness.” Celestia smiled. “Thank you.” The two ponies walked to the edge of Rainbow Dash’s cloud home, and they took flight together, gliding down in a tight spiral to land near Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Light Stride. The three friends shared a dear hug, laughing as they were reunited, and Dash looked with concernation at Rarity and Pinkie Pie before turning to Celestia. “Pardon me, Princess, but what happened to my friends?” “It’s my fault, I’m afraid. Come, let’s move towards Applejack’s farm. I’ll explain everything once we have gathered everypony together,” Celestia replied. The group of ponies began trotting towards Sweet Apple Acres. Light Stride glanced up at Celestia, looking confused. “What’s wrong with Rainbow Dash? She seems fine, but I can’t help but wonder.” Celestia smiled sadly at Light Stride. “She fears me as a god. It was not so long ago that ponies treated me like she did. Fearful, zealously serving, and always at a distance. It served my sister and I in the old days... but it is a lonely thing to be feared instead of loved. To be thought a goddess, instead of as a mare,” she sighed. “Come. Let’s speak no more of this. We have much to do.” The group moved off, towards the Apple Family farm.