//------------------------------//
// The Start of Something Awesome 
// Story: Rainbow Dash and a Dinner Party with the Wonderbolts 
// by divinearcadia 
//------------------------------//

The Start of Something Awesome

After the shock of finding out that not only Hoity Toity and Lightning Dust were in the same competition, but were partners as well, all six ponies began to talk of plans. Plans were thought up and discarded almost immediately. This went on for a few minutes before Rainbow Dash finally had enough.
“AUGH!” She groaned suddenly drawing all the scattered attention to herself. “It's not gonna make a bit of difference. We're just gonna have to kick everything up a notch is all. Maybe even make some stuff up along the way as we get to it, but this isn't working.”
“You know what?” Rarity chimes in with a bit of laughter in her voice. “Rainbow's right. There's absolutely nothing we can do this late anyways, but we can work that to our advantage. The element of surprise as the case may be, but we are most definitely not going down without a fight.”
“That's right.” Rainbow agrees with a fierce grin. “Now, that that's taken care of, we should see about turning in early. We'll want to get there as soon as possible if we want to make the best of this.”
Twilight nods in agreement and says “Plus it'll give me a chance to show you girls some of my favorite places around Canterlot since the first events aren't until the mid afternoon and evening.”
“Then it's all settled then.” Rarity says with a tone of finality. “We should all meet at the train station for the 7 A.M. departure?”
“Sounds good ta me.” Applejack replies amidst the approving nods of her other friends. “Just one thing... What about our pets? Should we let Spahk take care of' 'em again? He seemed ta be ok with it last time, but I'd worry something fierce about lettin' 'er run around with only Big Mac and Granny Smith ta look after her.”
“That's a fantastic idea Applejack.” Twilight responds. “I'm sure he'd be more than willing to look after our pets again. I'll double check with him to be sure, but I think we could leave them with a professional pet-sitter. We did leave Spike here the last time we all went off together and with all the crazyness about me becoming an Alicorn, we haven't had a chance to just go out and simply enjoy ourselves.”
“That's right thoughtful of ya Twilight. I would feel a bit guilty pushin' pet sittin' on him. I think that's what I'll do.” The other ponies nod in agreement that Spike should be entitled to tag along as well. With the last of their preparations completed or decided upon, they make their goodbyes and leave Rarities kitchen just as the sun begins to transition into late evening.


The group waiting on the platform in the misty morning consists of five moderately energetic mares, three very groggy fillies, a blanket draped young dragon and a very excited Alicorn Princess along with a small mountain of baggage from them all. They stand in a close knit group chatting amiably amongst themselves while waiting for the first train of the day. They don't wait for too long as a train pulls up to the platform. Once it comes to a complete halt, the conductor comes out and performs a perfunctory ticket check while the ponies set about putting their luggage in the appropriate car. Their tasks complete and nopony else being witnessed to be coming, the conductor retreats back to the head car and gives the engineer the go ahead for departure.


Almost an hour later, the train comes to a stop amidst the gleaming station of Canterlot. Waiting for them is a small dispensation of three royal guards as Twilight had informed Princess Celestia of their visit due to the contest. With a short explanation as to why they are there, which seems to exhaust their limited supply, Rarity sets them about loading up all of their luggage for transport to their rooms despite a minor complaint from Applejack. The morning seems to be almost like an illusion with its brightness and the sheer energy they all seemed to share. I'm gonna have to see about breaking away for a good nap after lunch. Rainbow Dash thinks to herself as the entire group begins debating what they should do first.
“How about we go visit the Princess and give her our personal thanks for allowing us to have apartments in the castle for the weekend? I mean we did all come in support of Rarity and Rainbow Dash, but she really didn't have to do this.” Twilight says matter-of-factually as a pony who knows they're being treated better than some of the high nobility of Equestria.
“She really is the heart of generosity, I mean my stay here was simply divine if you'll pardon the word play.” Rarity says with a slight giggle. “But I think I may have over shown my appreciation a tad bit last time I was here.”
“I'd really like that.” Fluttershy says looking up towards the castle. “I'd really like to see Philomena again, um... if that's ok with the Princess I mean...” Finishing with her usual shyness.
“Not ta mention the little ones here've never met the Princess in person. It'd be a good experience for'em.” Applejack says looking at the group of suddenly nervous little fillies.
“Yeah, sounds good to me too. I don't think we've ever been here aside from Rarity for an extended stay for something not doom-of-Equestria related.” Rainbow chimes in with a half-cocked grin and a scratchy chuckle.
“Oh come on Dashie, don't go saying that. We'll just have to make up for all the time we've missed out on while we're here. Not to mention we have all weekend to do stuff aside from the time we have to be at your and Rarities thingies to cheer you guys on. But that's not for a while, so we should get crackin' because time's a wastin'.” Pinkie says before she begins to bounce at a casual pace down the street. Rarity turns to the guards who had been standing placidly in place since they had loaded the carts and informed them to be extremely careful with their belongings under threat of thinly veiled dire consequences and to have them taken to their appropriated rooms at the castle.
As they walk through the busy streets of Canterlot, they can feel the thriving activity of the city. It's nothing like the casual thrum of ponies going about their business in their own time like Ponyville, but the energetic pulse of a city that knows it has things to do and when they need to be done by. As they make their way through the city, a few well dressed ponies greet Rarity as they walk through the streets. They say little more than what would be expected of a casual greeting, but Rarity begins to carry herself a little higher as she remembers how some of the ponies here respected and accepted her and her friends despite their unique introduction. It's not long before they find themselves at the first step leading up to the main entrance of Canterlot Castle and begin the short climb up while the guards take their belongings to a side entrance.
“You three're mighty quiet back there. Sumthin' the matter?” Applejack says with a glance back at her younger sister and her friends.
“Jus' nervous sis.” Apple Bloom replies.
“Yeah, just a little bit.” Scootaloo says with a half hearted chuckle.
“Maybe a teensy bit.” Sweetie Belle says looking to her sister for reassurance. “But we'll be ok since we have all of you here with us.” This gets the other fillies nodding in agreement.
“You girls have nothing to worry about.” Twilight says with a reassuring smile. “The Princess will be very pleased to meet all three of you.”
With that, they reach the half open doors and file through with a curt nod from the guards. The light filters through the crack in the door and glitters on faint particles floating sedately in the air. They don't stop for directions or get stopped in turn as they are known on sight by most of the palace staff from their various visits. It doesn't take too long for them to find the throne room, which they wait outside of to inform the guard of their visit. He walks in and opens the door from the inside a moment later. Seeing the clear invitation they walk into the long throne room, the guard leaving and closing the door behind them. Princess Celestia stands and begins walking down the hallway at a sedate pace to meet them halfway.
“It's so very good to see you all again.” The Princess says in a warm and personally confident tone. “I'm glad you accepted my invitation to stay in the castle. I wish you two the best of luck, Rainbow Dash and Rarity.”
“Thank you so much for the well wishes your Majesty. We shall try our very best.” Rarity responds.
“Yeah, you got nothin' to worry about Princess.” Says Rainbow with a nod.
“Oh! Oh! Princess! Princessss!” An urgent whisper from Pinkie drawing the attention of everypony. “We have three little fillies we brought along with us for you to meet.”
“Oh?” She responds with a little smile. “Might I have seen these three little fillies at a certain Royal wedding?”
“Oh! You did, you did!” Pinkie says with her typical enthusiasm.
“Princess Celestia? I'd be proud to introduce ma little sister, Apple Bloom and her friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Sweetie Bell just so happens to be Rarities younger sister as well.”
At the sudden attention of the solar diarch of Equestria, the three fillies blush and crouch down. “It's my pleasure to meet you finally my little ponies. Are you all excited to see your friends and family compete over this weekend?”
“You bet Princess!” Scootaloo says finding excitement to replace her nervousness. “Rainbow Dash is gonna rock!”
“Yeah!” A squeaky voiced Sweetie Belle chimes in. “Rarity's design is just amazing. I know for sure she's gonna win.”
“Sweetie Belle, honestly.” Rarity says with a smile. “No pony can know how everything will turn out. All we can do is our absolute best with what we have, but we will certainly try our best to win.” 
“It sounds like you ponies have everything well under control. Do you all have plans aside from this contest over the weekend? If not, I have some suggestions that you all can do as a group.” Princess Celestia ventures.
“Thank you kindly for the offer Princess, but I was going to show the girls some of my favorite places today. However, we may take your offer tomorrow if it's not too much of an inconvenience.” Twilight says.
“Not at all Twilight. I hope you all have a pleasant day and I look forward to watching you two do your best in the contest. If I do say so myself, it looks to be quite the venue and I wouldn't want to miss it for anything.” The Princess responds magnanimously.
They all smile and make small talk with the Princess for a short while. But they take their leave after a while and leave the castle proper and head back into the city. It's almost nine in the morning by the time they get to their first stop, Joe's Doughnuts, much to Spikes obvious delight. They all joke and laugh at the memories of their first group visit there as they walk in.
“Hey Joe, long time no see!” Twilight says seeing the proprietor wiping the spotless counter with a rag.
“Twilight Sparkle, or should I call ya Princess Sparkle now? I see Spike's with ya too.” He responds with his usual gruff manner. “What brings you two back to this run down little doughnut shop?”
“Come on Joe, your place is as sparkling new as it was when you opened up and you've known me for years, so no Princess stuff from you. I just thought I'd bring my friends here to visit all of my favorite places in Canterlot since we're here over the weekend.”
“Here for the weekend are ya? Somethin' ta do with that Wonderbolts contest? Been a lot of talk about it, especially this past week.”
“Yep. My friends Rarity and Rainbow Dash are in the contest as partners. We're all here to wish them the best of luck.”
“Then I hope you two'll take a doughnut on the house. Think of it as my own way to wish you two good luck.”
“Just like old times Joe.” Twilight says with a smile.
“What can I say? After that time we went through that whole rigamarole on the train, I don't want Rainbow Dash going after my doughnuts wholesale.” He says with a grin giving the joke away.
“Hey!” Rainbow objects. “That was Mulia. Though I would have gone after them if I had had the time.” She says with a laugh.
“Well don't just stand there girls and dragon, come on in and have a seat. I've got whatever suits yer fancy.” Joe says while leaning on the counter.
They spend almost an hour at Doughnut Joe's before they leave, with many promises to drop by again before they leave Canterlot. They walk around the various markets and streets dedicated to the arts before they finally make it back to the castle for lunch. They begin making their way up the front steps when a sudden aquamarine and yellow blur flashes by in front of them. They stop suddenly and watch as the blur swerves back around to make a landing on the top step and resolves into Lightning Dust.
“Yo, Dashie. How's it going?” She says as she casually crosses her fetlocks.
“Pretty good, until now.” Rainbow replies with a cocky grin. “Even better now that I know you're here and I can kick your feathered butt into next week.”
“We'll see who kicks whose butt Dash. Just giving you fair warning that you should watch out for a little 'friendly' competition.” She says with her own smirk. Without waiting for a response, she takes off in a blur across town.
That's right, Rainbow thinks to herself. A little friendly competition between old pals. I just hope it stays out on the air strip.