//------------------------------// // A Warm Welcome in Ponyville // Story: Sunset Eclipsed // by EldritchNexus //------------------------------// Radiant Dawn and Pinkie Pie went down the road to a large house that looked as if it was made of candy. When they went inside, they were suddenly greeted by thunderous applause from a crowd of ponies inside. "Welcome to Ponyville, Red Dawn!" they all said. Red gave a yelp of surprise, and looked around. He saw that there were many party favors and activities throughout the room they were all in. "I hope you like it!" Pinkie Pie said, excited. "Wow, I can't believe you did this all just for me!" Red Dawn said, relatively overwhelmed by everything around him. "I haven't even had birthday parties this big!" "C'mon, Red!" said the voice of Apple Bloom, who walked up to him. "I'll show you to everypony in town!" "Um...did you say 'everypony'?" Red Dawn said, clearly out of his element. "I don't know if I'll have time to do that!" "Oh, come on, Red!" Pinkie said. "It'll be great!" Pinkie Pie and Apple Bloom took turns leading him around the building, and introduced him to the various earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi that were present. When Pinkie wasn't guiding him, she was offering him various treats and drinks. "I know you'll love these cupcakes!" offered the pink earth pony. "Mr. and Mrs. Cake make some of the best pastries ever!" "Okay, whatever makes floats your boat." Red nodded. "Lay it on me!" He raised his head, and telekinetically lifted the cupcake to his mouth. He engulfed it with one bite, and licked his lips happily. "Wow, that was pretty good!" Red Dawn said. "But what's the occasion for this party? Just entering this town?" "Oh, it's just what I do around here." Pinkie Pie explained, with a big grin. "I just love throwing parties for ponies that are new to Ponyville! I hope you don't mind!" "No, not at all. This is probably the biggest party I've been to in ages, let alone one that was in my honor." "So, yer the fella that was so kind to lil' ol' Apple Bloom earlier today!" said an orange earth pony with a blonde mane and a hat, as she approached him with a smile. "I'm Applejack, by the way. Apple Bloom's my little sister." "Oh, yeah." remembered Red. "She told me about you. You run the apple orchard, right?" "Yep. Me and my family!" confirmed Applejack. "And boy howdy, did Apple Bloom just go on and on about you." "Really?" "And as a matter of fact, I wouldn't blame her." Applejack said. "And boy, she said you were big. I didn't think you were bigger than Big Mac!" Red Dawn felt himself blush a little. "Uh...thanks, Applejack." he said, smiling weakly. "I get it from my mom. She was pretty tall, too..." Red looked around for the exit. He tried to gesture for his admirers to stand aside, but they were too busy gossiping and whispering amongst each other to heed him. Suddenly, he heard a horn sound off outside. A unicorn rushed into the building. "Everypony, the Canterlot Royal Guard just arrived!" he was shouting to all the ponies present. "Oh, boy." Red was muttering to himself. "What could they want?" Suddenly, a pegasus guard in golden armor marched inside, and stood erect against the doorway. "We are looking for the unicorn named Red Dawn." he declared. "Captain Shining Armor has requested an audience with him at the city hall." Red Dawn was relieved to be away from the large crowd of ponies, but couldn't help but notice the shocked and concerned expressions on their faces. As he finally broke free of the partying ponies, Apple Bloom walked up to the guard. "What's the problem, sir?" she asked, visibly worried. "Red ain't in trouble, is he?" "I don't know, little filly." he said. "All I know is that the captain received a letter from Princess Twilight Sparkle, and that he wants to meet with Red Dawn." "Well, then let's get the show on the road!" said the orange-red unicorn, who was eager to get away from the onlooking bystanders. He followed the pegasus along the street, until they finally reached Ponyville's town hall. Inside were several individuals, waiting patiently for them to arrive. When Red Dawn caught sight of Shining Armor, the two large stallions approached each other with dogged postures and scowling faces, each staring hard and unblinkingly into the other's eyes. They stopped just a few inches from each other, glaring adamantly at one another, but said and did nothing. "Wow, talk about deja vu." said Spike, who was standing beside Twilight Sparkle, nudging one of her hind legs. A few seconds passed on before Armor and Dawn's mouths started to quiver, and they suddenly burst out in laughter. "Radiant, you old dog!" said Shining Armor, half-chuckling. "I haven't seen you since you dropped out of the tryouts!" "And look at you!" grimaced Radiant Dawn. "A bonafide Captain of the Royal Guard, and probably one of the best that Equestria's ever seen in years! But don't forget: it could've been me!" He let out a friendly chuckle, before Shining Armor asked him a question. "So, Dawnie boy." Shining Armor began. "What brought you here to Ponyville?" "That would be your sister here." answered Red, gesturing with his head towards Twilight Sparkle. "I thought I'd ask her a few questions about...personal matters." "Oh, you mean about your sister?" deduced Shining Armor. "I know all about it. In fact, my guards had arrested her the day before yesterday, and sent her to Canterlot. I had a feeling you'd be asking around for her, so..." "I already know about that." said Radiant. "I've already met with her. She's doing fine, I guess." "So, what did you want from me?" "I'd like to reapply for the Canterlot Royal Guard." said Radiant Dawn. "I don't want to put myself to waste any longer. I want to be able to do something important with my life." "I don't know about that, Red." said Shining Armor. "I know about that little incident of yours back in Canterlot. I'm not sure if Princess Celestia would want you prowling her castle after something like that." "The one when I was at the academy, or my outburst early this morning?" "What outburst?" "Never mind. Just tell me what I could do to get back in." "Sorry, but Princess Celestia's been a little lax with who we let join her Royal Guard nowadays. Ever since that whole Changeling incident..." "Changelings?!" Radiant said, surprised. "When did that happen?" "During the day of my wedding." stated Shining Armor. "Canterlot was invaded by-" "Oh, dude!" said Radiant. "That happened on your wedding? And it was Changelings? I had no idea. I don't really get a lot of news from this far out East--I live in Vanhoover, and news there is sloooooooowww..." He coughed and took a deep breath. "Who's the lucky mare, anyway?" Radiant asked. "Let me guess: Spitfire? Sapphire Shores? Octavia?" "Princess Cadence." said Shining Armor. Radiant Dawn felt his jaw drop. "You married a princess?!" he exclaimed. "Yep, an alicorn princess, too!" Red decided to steer the conversation back. "So, anyway." he said. "You said that Princess Celestia's being pickier with who joins the Royal Guard?" "Yeah. She doesn't wanna risk anyone infiltrating the castle, and doing any more damage from the inside." Suddenly, the doors to the town hall opened up, and Princess Luna strode in. She was flanked by two bat-winged pegasus guards. She had a vigilant expression on her face, as if she was expecting something to happen. "Ah, Princess Luna!" Shining Armor said, quickly saluting the alicorn. "I didn't know you'd be here, too! I'm just letting you know that everything's under control, your majesty!" "At ease, captain." said the princess of the night, before turning to face Radiant Dawn and Twilight Sparkle. "I trust that your meeting has progressed...well?" "Well enough, your highness!" said Radiant. Luna scrutinized Radiant's face. "We trust that thou wishest to speak with me?" she asked. "Yes, ma'am." confirmed Radiant. "I would like to join the Royal Guard...again." "Why would..." "I don't want to waste my life away, so I figured I'd do something productive." said Radiant. "I admire your enthusiasm." said Princess Luna. "But you must understand it's not my place to give you that kind of position. That would be my sister's. And she has become...restrictive with new recruits." "Oh, yeah?" Radiant Dawn said, suddenly shooting a wary look at the two bat-ponies that silently stood on either side of the princess. "And what about them? They look awfully suspicious!" Princess Luna, Shining Armor, and Twilight Sparkle just exchanged confused looks, as Red Dawn started marching back and forth between the two guards. "Okay, let's get started." he said. "I'm Radiant Dawn, and I'm going to be asking both of you some very important questions." He started to talk to them in a quiet tone, and the bat-ponies answered in turn. The others couldn't make out what he was saying, but whatever it was made the bat-ponies flinch and bow their heads. "Sound good?" Radiant told them, more audibly. "Yessss, sssir." one of the bat-ponies nodded with a salute. "Whatever you assssskkk..." "Good." he said. "You're both great guards. You might even make it as officers someday. Just don't let the princess down." "Radiant Dawn, that was...incredible." she said. "Very impressive. It's not very often that I've met someone inspire such authority over my bat-guards." "Yeah!" Shining Armor said, his mouth wide open with surprise. "Not even I could do something like that! Those bat-ponies are the bane of my existence! They used to scare the hay outta me when I was a foal. Even now that I'm a captain, I'm still afraid to look them in the face, let alone give 'em orders. And yet, you were able to break through to them like a cardboard wall! Radiant, what is your secret?!" "Captain Armor, does Radiant Dawn have any experience with leadership skills?" Princess Luna asked. "Can't really remember too much, honestly." replied the stallion. "This pony never even became a full-fledged guard! He dropped out when he was still training at boot camp! And I should know; we were sparring partners!" "Most impressive." said Princess Luna, studying Radiant Dawn curiously. "So what did you say to them?" "Just wanted to make sure that they weren't goofing around." said Radiant Dawn. "Minced a few words, made my presence known without being too aggressive. Kinda like what my mom would've done. She was a really tough mare, and she used to tell me all these stories about these Saddle Arabian warriors and champions and stuff when I was a little colt. I thought I'd try modeling myself after one, so..." "Radiant Dawn, I have a propostion for you." said Luna. "So lay it on me, your majesty!" said Radiant, eagerly. "I, Princess Luna, wish for you to return with us to Canterlot." said Luna. "I am giving you special permission to stay the night within the castle. I do believe that my sister may find interest in somepony such as yourself, regardless of the jaded history you have with her." "Luna, are you sure that's a good idea?" Twilight Sparkle asked. "Taking Sunset Shimmer as your student is one thing, but this guy's...well, I just don't know what to make of him! I don't think Celestia might take this too well..." "Don't worry, sis." said Shining Armor. "I'm sure Princess Luna knows what she's doing. She's very brilliant at being a princess, just as much as--dare I say--Celestia herself." "I'm grateful for the compliment, Captain." said Luna. "But now, we must return to Canterlot. The sun is already setting, and the Night Court will be in session very soon. As for you, Radiant, would you be interested in coming with us?" It took a moment to respond, but Red Dawn was able to come to a decision. "Well, the next train that'll bring me back home won't be at the station until tomorrow." he recounted. "So I guess I could tag along, at least until eleven o'clock in the morning. Of course, that's assuming I don't get the job!" "Splendid." said the princess, beckoning Shining Armor, Radiant Dawn, and the bat-pony bodyguards to follow her back outside.