The rousing smell of breakfast cooking made Posey's stomach rumble, and she stretched out on her bed, throwing her blanket to the side. Her eyes opened in shock as the action pulled a pony onto her chest, and she was met with the confused and blushing face of Defiant Moonlight staring down at her, the feather blanket now revealed to be his wing.
Their heads turned towards some chuckling coming from the other side of the room, finding Braeburn leaning against the doorway, Fluttershy pressing against him with a smile. “Now, Ah can see we're all gettin' reacquainted... but can we have breakfast first? Mah wife gets cranky when she don't eat.”
“Braeburn, that is enough! I do not get cranky!”
“Well, actually...” The couple trotted over to where Posey and Moonlight had separated, sitting at opposite ends of the couch. “You see, I was pretty cranky when I carried you, Fluttershy, and my mother was with me, and my grandmother was with her.”
“But... I...”
“It's okay, you'll pull through. It's easy to do when there is a stallion to help.” Moonlight lowered his head, refusing to meet the gaze of the others. He felt a hoof on his shoulder, glancing out the corner of his eye to see Posey looking at him with a soft smile on her face. “That is, of course, if the stallion even knows you're with foal.”
“Um... mother, would... you like to, uh... join us for breakfast?”
“That would be wonderful, Fluttershy.” Rising, they trotted towards the dining room, but stopped when a knock sounded on the door. The younger mare went to head back, but her mother's raised hoof bid her to hold still. “I'll get it, you go sit down and rest.” Posey trotted over to the front door and swung it open, her face going blank as she stared at the ponies before her for a good two minutes. Then she dropped to the floor, bowing as low as possible.
A beige hoof came through and tapped her shoulder, signalling to rise. The only pony she recognised was Princess Luna, but she had little doubt that this was her family accompanying her. The stallion that had leant down to help her up had an alicorn filly on his back, and there was an alicorn colt stood next to Luna. “Hello there, I don't think we've met before. My name is Alec, this is Sky Sapphire and Rising Flame, and I'm pretty sure you know who this pain in the ass is.”
He continued to smile even as Luna slapped his flank, turning to give her a leering gaze. She placed a wing over his muzzle and moved in front of him. “Please forgive him, he is the pain in the flank. Is Fluttershy home?”
“Y-y-yes, your highness. She's in the kitchen, getting breakfast ready, would you like me...”
“PANCAKES!!!” The young filly shot into the house, heading directly for the aforementioned room. “Hello Uncle Braeburn!! Hello Auntie Fluttershy!! Hello Mr Moonlight!!”
“Hello Sapphy, nice to see you.” Posey could only watch silently as the colt bowed to her and followed his sister to the other room, and then the two adult alicorns let themselves in, taking a seat on the larger couch. It was then that Posey noted Luna's larger than usual stomach as she was given a hoof to get into a comfortable position.
“Your majesty, I did not expect to see you down here.” Defiant Moonlight came out from the kitchen, a plate balanced on each wing, which he then set down on the table in middle of the room “Uh... I'll go let Dame Fluttershy know there're few more to cook for.”
“Moonlight...”
“Yes, your majesty?”
“I don't think you need to call your daughter 'Dame' Fluttershy...” The stallion returned to the kitchen with reddened cheeks.
Two young mares, a young stallion and a young adult dragon made their way through the crowds towards the side entrance of the temporary stadium. Along the way they overheard a conversation which made the bow-topped one turn around. “...so yeah, my eyes are going to be all over her flanks. That's the worst part of her leaving Ponyville to join them, Scootaloo...” He didn't get much further as Applebloom pushed him over, standing above the colt with her hoof on his chest.
“If y'all are here jus' to oggle mah friend... then y'all best clear out, ya hear? This here is an acro-batics show, so that betta be what y'all are watching, understood?”
“Yes ma'am.”
“Good.” With that she returned to her friends, and they were swiftly allowed through the VIP door, trotting along and stopping outside the room marked with a butterfly which had magenta lightning bolts for wings, and was opposite to a door marked by a tornado with a yellow lightning bolt through it's middle. Pipsqueak and Spike smirked, and didn't allow their friend any privacy, whipping the door open and walking in, but coming out a few moments later. “'e not in there?”
“No, I don't know where he could be. It's possible he's out limbering up.” The door behind them opened, and their quarry came trotting out backwards, his mane all over the place and his wings hanging limp. Upon his flank was a cutie mark, exactly the same as the one on the opposite door.
“Don't~be~to~long, Rum~ble!” He closed the door with a smile, before turning around and bumping straight into Applebloom, who just smirked at him.
“Uh... hey guys, what's up?”
“A bit o' stress relief, huh?”
“You could say that. Now what are you lot doing here?”
“Uh, you gave us VIP tickets with unescorted backstage access, remember? Anyways, y'all only got an hour left, so you'd best let 'er recover some strength. Boys, take 'im outta the way!” Rumble didn't have time to argue as Pip and Spike grabbed him, dragging him into his room. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom pushed into their friend’s room, but didn't see her there.
The sound of water being shut off drew their attention to the side door, where steam was drifting out and framing a silhouette, which slowly moved forward. “Well... that was quick... what did you get us to ea...” Scootaloo's sultry gaze and voice stopped as she beheld the other mares watching her with restrained snickering. “What the hay are you two doing in here?”
“Ah sent Rumble to go get ready... and now it's yer turn.”
“My turn? I've showered, and I just got to get into my flight suit.” The earth pony turned around and locked the door, whilst the unicorn walked forward with a horn glowing green.
“Yes, we know. But your mane is a disaster... so we're going to fix it for you.” On the other side of the door was the young trainee's head trainer, who stopped when she heard the groans through the door. With a chuckle, Lightning Dust continued down the corridor to check on the other recruits. Sure, she didn’t make the cut the second time round, but she was offered the position of Juniorbolt’s senior instructor.
It still meant working with her idols, so she had eagerly accepted it. She was also slightly jealous of Dash for landing Soarin... until she met Fire Streak.
“Is he still out there?” The pegasus stallion inside the house trotted over to a window, drawing the curtain back a little to peek out. On the other side of the road was another stallion, his eyes locked on the front door. He let the curtains drop once more, turning to his wife with a nod.. “Why hasn't he left yet? And where's that mare?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, there was a knock on the door. Another glance showed Warding Spear in the same place, so with a shrug the stallion walked over and cracked the door open a little. What he had expected to see and what he got were two very different things... especially with his twin teenage fillies hanging from the mare's neck, who was staring at him with pleading eyes. “Get... them... off... of me.”
“Misty Dawn, Gusty Mint... leave the mare alone.” The fillies let out a groan and then dropped to the ground, trotting into the house. The stallion went to close the door, but an armoured hoof prevented him from doing so. “May I ask what you are doing?”
“Yeah... we need to talk.”
“If it has anything to do with him, then we are not interested.” The mare narrowed her eyes at him, spreading her wings menacingly, her voice now with a small growl to it.
“Yes, it does involve Warding Spear. He will remain outside if you wish.” The stallion looked over his shoulder, and the mare could hear a whispered conversation, before he turned back to her.
“Fine, but make it quick.” Throwing a quick nod across the road, the guard entered the cloud home and took a seat in the front room, the two fillies looking up at her eagerly. The two adults came in and pulled them away, sitting on the couch opposite. “Well, what do you have to say?”
“First, introductions are in order. I am Blazing Petal.” The other mare gave a surprised gasp, passing the filly in her forelegs to the stallion and whispering something in his ear. He then got up and took the twins upstairs. “I guess you know my name, huh?”
“Yes, I do. I am Radiant Aurora, and that was my husband, Cirrus Breaker. Now, I want to know why you are insisting on this subject.”
“Before... certain events, did you notice a change in your brother's behaviour?”
“He stopped writing to me. I used to receive a letter every two weeks, but then they just stopped.”
“That's because he wasn't himself. Do you remember that thing that crashed here about eight years ago?”
“Of course. After all, that is who Spear tried to kill, isn't it?”
“Well, we work for them now. He's already seen your parents... and he wanted to come see you.”
“Why?”
“Because of what happened to him. We have had it explained by one who knows a lot. Basically, the demon that infected Princess Luna a thousand years ago is from another world. When the Elements Of Harmony were used on her, they didn't kill the demon... just purged it from her. And a few years later it found another host.”
“My brother?”
“Yes. He knows what was done using his body, and he has paid for that... so please, give him a chance to prove that he is once more the Warding Spear we all love and remember.”
“Very well, bring him in.” Petal got up and walked to the front door, waving the stallion over with a wing. Once he was inside, Aurora noticed his body was covered with fabric, and he had a hood over his face. “Why is he hiding?”
“I guess you weren't there for his... sentencing, but he was sent to another world to die. This is what happened.” Petal began to help him remove the armour, and then he slipped the undergarment off in one movement, revealing his scarred frame and missing eye. Just one look into the remaining one told Aurora all she needed to know, so she slowly approached and pulled him into a loose embrace.
“It's... good to see you again, Spear.”
“You too, Radi.”
“Pipsqueak!!!” The young stallion barely had any time to look up as a blue bundle jumped into his lap, giggling up a storm. Upon looking down, he discovered Sky Sapphire grinning up at him, and he pulled her into a hug. “I didn't know you were going to be here.”
“Yeah, well we got invited by Scoots. An' Sky... hooves off, 'e's mine!” The filly pouted at Applebloom, causing the stallion stood behind them to chuckle. The filly's twin was walking along slowly, but was suddenly snapped up by yellow forelegs. “Well, if you want mah stallion, Ah'm gonna 'ave yer brother.” Flame started to writhe about as she began to run a hoof through his mane, but then stopped moving as she kissed his cheek, his muzzle turning to a dopey smile.
The colt then started to blush as he heard his father's chuckle, turning to glare at him as he helped Luna into a seat, high up in the stand so that they could see the entire stadium. Alec settled next to her, one forehoof going around her shoulders whilst the other rested gently upon her swollen stomach, a grin on the stallion's face as the town's residents waved over.
The twin alicorns moved over and jumped into their father's lap, leaning back against him. Spike and Sweetie Belle appeared, both carrying a multitude of snack items. They took the two seats next to the other ponies, the young unicorn mare levitating a medium sized tray to the family behind her, the green glow being replaced with a brighter beige one. Luna immediately grabbed the large box of popcorn and buried her muzzle in it.
Alec just shook his head with a grin, knowing that his mare had strange cravings during her pregnancy, just like every other mare. Their gaze was drawn to the floor of the stadium as the spectators started cheering. Rainbow Dash was making her way to the centre stage, Prismatic Blast trotting along next to her, a beaming smile upon her muzzle.
Soarin glided along just behind her, Flaring Haze held in his fore hooves. He touched down next to his wife, the pegasus filly taking the colt into her embrace as her parents stepped up to the microphone. “Mares and Gentlecolts, it is our pleasure to thank you for allowing Ponyville to be used as the first venue this year! And without any further ado, we give you... THE WONDERBOLTS!”
The crowd cheered louder as two thick white smoke streaks appeared in the air, the pegasi quickly forming two large wings in the blue sky. Once at the base of the wings, the smoke streaks headed straight to the ground, before pulling up at the last minute. There was a gush of wind towards the stands, the current line up of the Wonderbolts stood proud with their wings spread, facing the crowd.
There was flash high above that attracted the spectator's attention, and then a large flaming lightning bolt appeared, the trail of fire following the smoke, and the crowd felt the heat as the pony pulled to a stop in front of the others, her mane and tail looking like they were on fire. Spitfire then bowed towards them, the other six following suit, causing an enormous pleased uproar of cheering from the townsfolk. “And for the first time ever, joining us on the tour of Equestria...” All eyes focused on Soarin as he took a deep breath, Dash grinning like a madpony next to him “...we now present to you... THE JUNIORBOLTS!”
There was a thunderclap from high above, the crowd stunned into silence as a small, horizontal cyclone formed, heading towards the insignia in the sky. The cloud wings were soon blown away, the flame lightning bolt being extinguished, and then the vortex turned towards the ground, where it surrounded the still bowing Wonderbolts.
The raging wind finally died down, revealing seven teenage ponies stood on the elder pegasi, one per back, their heads held high with pride. Rainbow and Soarin hopped down from the stage, walking to one edge of the line up each. “Introducing Breezy Splash, trained by Rapidfire.” The little filly joined the stallion in bowing to the crowd, Soarin then pointing to her opposite number after his mare began the instructions..
“Here we have Arcing Thunder, trained by Fire Streak.” The colt followed Breezy in bowing on the back of his trainer, the two doing the announcing moving further towards the centre.
“Next we have Azure Ballet, trained by Fleetfoot.”
“This is Obsidian Wave, trained by Blaze.”
“This little troublemaker is Snowy Charge. Keep an eye on him, mares and gentlecolts. He's probably got something planned. Especially with Surprise as her trainer. ” Soarin smirked as a wave of laughter ran through the crowd, nodding back to Dash.
“And this shy filly is Astral Star, trained by Misty Fly.” Spitfire then rose from her position, accepting the microphone from Dash.
“And finally, the top filly and colt of the class. To my left, Rumble, trained by Thunderlane, who is on leave for the week.”
“YOU BET, AND I'M LOVING IT!” The crowd once more erupted with laughter, looking to the red faced mare sitting next to the smirking stallion, a unicorn foal held between his forehooves.
“Anyway, to my right, Scootaloo, trained by yours truly.” The three then bowed for a few seconds, then the entire line stood back up, the younger pegasi hopping down from their trainers and running to the side. “So, shall we see what these youngsters can do than?” With a cheer from the crowd the Juniorbolts took off into the sky. There were stunned shouts of amazement, hushed gasps of shock, and cheers of joy as the pegasi pulled tight acrobatics throughout the air above.
They finally touched down again an hour later, all panting heavily. Their trainers gave them all a pleased nod as they trotted into the rest area, the Wonderbolts then taking off. Of course, their stunts were much more spectacular, having had more time to refine their abilities. Lightning Dust stood with a prideful smile upon her face as the trainees slipped out of their uniforms, and then she dismissed them to go mingle with the crowd.
Scootaloo and Rumble immediately made their way to the highest set of seats and their friends, who swept them into a tight embrace and began babbling about how awesome they were. The talk stopped as something thudded to the stage behind the seating, and a pegasus stepped around, bowing towards the two adults. “Apologies, your majesty, I did not mean to be so long.”
“It's fine, Spear.” The stallion then stood back up, moving to the side of Luna and turning his eye towards the stadium. “Pray tell, where is Blazing Petal?”
“The other side of the stands, your majesty. She... is escorting my sister and her family.” Alec let a small light shine from his horn, and an image of the mare appeared before them. Accompanying her were another pegasus mare and a stallion, but what made him chuckle were the two fillies bouncing on Petal's back. “Those would be my nieces, sir.”
“Yes... she seems to be enjoying herself. I bet Celestia is as well...”
“Well, even if she is, I'm going to hit the shower. Coming, Rumble?” The pegasus nodded as Scootaloo began walking away with her tail flicking from side to side. Alec smiled as he heard a chuckle from Spear, it being the first time he had seen any form of mirth from the stallion.
“BUCKING DOG, STOP RUNNING!” Celestia galloped down the hall after the runaway, that was just barking back at her, thinking it was a game. The mare ran around the corner and skidded to a halt, seeing the puppy on Faust's chest as she lay on her back, her face getting licked. Celestia took a hold of it with her magic and brought it to her face. “You... have destroyed my garden!”
“Oh Tia, she doesn't know what she's doing! Do you, Fluffball?”
“Alec could've at least chosen a better name! Now, she is supposed to be black and white, not black and brown, so it is bath time!” Faust just stood with a sigh as Celestia took the twins’ pup off to its fate, then looked down and giggled at her muddy chest. Perhaps a bath was a good idea.
Alec frowned, having the feeling that something was wrong. He kissed Luna’s cheek and stood, the mare watching in confusion as he motioned for Warding Spear to follow him. The two stallions flew from the stand, landing just on the edge of Whitetail woods. The alicorn stallion looked along the trees with a raised eyebrow. They then spun around at the sound of struggling, both flaring their wings in a sign of aggression. “Stay still, ya little mongrel! Ya ain’t gonna run away from us again!”
There was a pegasus stallion, his mane unkempt and his fur matted, with an earth pony mare, in pretty much the same condition, and in his forehooves as he hovered… Alec lit his horn and sent a bolt of lightning above the pegasus, causing him to drop to the floor and let his grip on his quarry slip.
Scootaloo instantly ran over to Alec, and he pushed her behind him to Warding Spear, who slipped a wing over her back. “What the hell do you think you are doing to her?”
“We don’t care who you are, we’ll do what we want with ‘er!” Alec’s ear flicked as he caught a steady stream of mumbles coming from behind him.
“Please don’t let them take me, please, please, please, please…”
“And why would I let you do that?” The pegasus stallion flapped closer, a scowl upon his muzzle as he stared the alicorn down.
“Because that little whorse is our daughter, and if she ain’t gonna share her money with her family, then she ain’t gonna earn any money.” His advance was stopped as Spear shot forward, slamming the stallion to ground and pinning him to the floor with a hoof to his throat.
“We’ll see what the law has to say about that. GUARDS!” Several ponies appeared, placing the mare and stallion in restraints, Spear stepping away. “Have them transferred to Canterlot.” The local guards nodded, dragging the kicking and screaming pair away. “My apologies, sir, but I couldn’t let that continue.”
“Heh, I was surprised you didn’t act sooner.” Alec turned back to the shivering ball on the ground, picking her up and holding her tightly. They then flew back into the stadium, where Scootaloo was passed to Firefly, whose eyes went wide at the young mare’s state.
“What happened?”
“Apparently, her parents came to take her. I didn’t see you two out there…”
“No… not them, please not them!”
“You know them?”
“Yes… we’ll tell you about them later.” Alec ground his teeth, getting angry that whoever these ponies were, it was obvious that they were known, possibly notorious. The only good thing was that he had stopped them before they got away. He gave Firefly a nod and flew back up to Luna’s seat, where Spear had just finished informing her of what happened. She glanced at her husband as he landed, cocking an eyebrow at him.
“What? Flame, Sapphy, I’m sorry, but we need to go home now. There is something I must do in Canterlot.” The twins gave a groan, but still slipped onto Alec’s back. They waved to the other ponies and dragon that were seated nearby, just as Rumble shot off to where his fillyfriend’s parents were sitting in the VIP box.