//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: War of the Pony Sisters // by Kamunari //------------------------------// War of the Pony Sisters Chapter 1 Princess Twilight Sparkle loved to read. Ever since she was a little filly, even before she was taken in by Empress Celestia and made princess she had loved to read. now of all the activities, luxuries, and indulgences afforded to nobility, reading was the least likely to cause a scandal. Other ponies couldn't be trusted, her hooves couldn't be trusted, her mouth couldn't be trusted. All her effort on studying to be the perfect socialite had been wasted after a few inconvenient fiascos. Thinking of them she suppressed a shudder. First there was the Grand Galloping Gala incident. At first she was just bored out of her mind. Then she had been asked to dance. In hindsight her brother had tried to warn her. She will forever be known in the Ball community as Princess Spazle. After a series of these small embarrassments Twilight began to loathe social events altogether. Then there was that time with Duke Blueblood came to her room. His intentions seemed innocent. He said that he wanted to discuss hosting a party on his new air yacht. After an hour or so going over details he left and Twilight thought she had grown just a little closer to the Duke. Little did she know that according to the Canterlot times they had grown more than a little close. For a week rumors of the Duke’s conquest of the Princess spread far and wide. Finally Twilight had demanded that Blueblood denounce the rumor and tell everyone the truth. As it turns out the events of that night were far different in the Duke’s mind. “A loving night of passion… Something so much more… In the afterglow of passion I jokingly asked her for her hoof in marriage. Being a bit naive she had thought me serious. Well as a gentlecolt I could not let her honor be besmirched, and as I had taken her virtue I thought ours is a love that could last.” It took months of public announcements, interviews, and even some medical and magical testing just to prove her honor was intact and nothing of the sort had happened. Still to this day it was believed that Twilight was carrying the Dukes child and a private wedding would happen any day now. Books however held no malice towards her, no envy, desire for political gain, no judgements. Books did not disapprove of her behavior. She found her favorite spot in the canterlot gardens. Under the shade of the large oak tree she pulled out her books and prepared herself for the simple pleasure that came with learning. Twilight finally opened the book she had brought with her, “Ahh book my old friend, what do you have to teach me today.” Twilight read the title page, ‘Summer Sun Celebration: a thousand years of sunrises’ “Ohh” this will be good. ***** Dame Rainbow Charger Dash wore a scowl as she stormed from the Charger clanhold. Why was it so hard for her family to understand, she was going to be a Wonderbolt no matter what. So what if the Chargers ran weather production, so what if tradition dictated that she take over for her father. The Strikers had nobility in the bolts, heck even some Chargers served in the past. Rainbow sighed heavily she hated all this nobility horseapples, so much rules so little time to do what she loved. Before she realized it Rainbow was flying through the city. As if running from her responsibilities she flew like a thestral out of Tartarus. As Rainbow began to take notice of her surroundings she noticed where she had flown to. The Earth pony ward was set on a few plateau steps jutting out from the mountain. Though set apart from the city the Earth pony ward was a marvel, lots of open space, beautiful mansions, even a few orchards. One particular orchard caught her eye as she came to land among the few apple trees. *THWAK… thud thud thud* came a sound that Rainbow had been hoping for. *THWAK… thud thud thud* Rainbow watched as the orange earth pony mare bucked another apple tree. She was a strange sight, mane and tail styled, her sweeping gold tresses seem to not notice her activity. The fancy pony also wore a dress shirt leaving her jacket hanging on a tree branch. With a huff and a wipe of her brow the fancy apple farmer looked up at Rainbow Dash. “Why Dame Charger, what do we owe the pleasure of your visit.” Dash pouted having been spotted, “You can drop the act AJ I’m just hiding from my dad.” In a transition quicker than a jackrabbit with its tail on fire AJ dropped the fancy act and picked up her usual Appleatian accent, “Whooee, Ah just came out to work off some stress. when Ah noticed yah I was afraid yah needed somethin.” “And what need have I of the great Baroness Applejack Apple.” Rainbow asked in her most pompous noble accent. AJ rolled her eyes, “So what you and your dad fightin about this time, weather duties? Inappropriate conduct in public? Or is he trying ta marry yah off again?” Rainbow shook her head, “No its the wonderbolts again. He says I have to stop playing around and take my place as his successor.” AJ was a bit surprised at this, “Didn’t yah all work that out last week? Your dad would hold down the fort while you pursue your dream then in five years, you would take your place as his successor.” “Yeah, its kind of weird when I brought up our deal he seemed to get angry. Kept saying I didn't have time to fool around and stuff. In fact he kept going on and on about not having the time, and… time being short… you don't think...” AJ could see Rainbow’s thought process and knew where it was heading. AJ put a firm hoof on the distraught mare, “Now hold up there sugarcube, your dad is a strong stallion, still in his prime, and ah highly doubt anything could take him down. Now if yah think bout it, most likely those vultures sniffin round your position as successor are puttin the pressure on your dad. As he delays his position grows weaker and he needs tah know if you're serious. The problem is ah think he had wanted yah to have a fall back incase yah got hurt or if yah didn't make it in. But if yah don't jump in now theres no guarantee it'll be there when yah need it.” Rainbow reflected on what AJ was saying, it made a lot of sense. So her dad had been looking out for her and she had yelled at him. After a few moments in silence Rainbow looked up at AJ. “So if I make it clear that I'm going to go out for the wonderbolts no matter what, do you think he'll understand?” “Can't say for sure sugarcube, but ah think that if you’re happy your dad will be happy.” Rainbow smiled, “Well I’ll tell him that I renounce my title, and if I somehow don't get into the wonderbolts, as if that would happen, I’ll carry the consequences. At the very least I’m sure there is some podunk town out there in need of a weather manager.” Applejack smiled knowingly, “Boy Dash all of Canterlot is clamoring for position and title and you and ah are the only ones tryin to get out of ours. You're in line to be Duchess of Cloudsdale for cryin out loud.” Dash laughed at that “And what about you Imperial Visier Apple? Would you go give it all up to go back home to your brother and sister?” “In a heartbeat, unfortunately if ah dont that means Applebloom will have to and she don’t even have her cutiemark yet. Ahm secretly hopin that Empress Celestia appoints Cloudkicker as her mothers successor.” Dash laughed at that, “Fat chance, shes more worthless as a noble than I am and that her not even trying. Shes a damn good guard, and the most dependable pony anyone can know, but…” “That girl got more mud on her than a diamond dog after a rainstorm.” AJ sighed heavily, “Ah know and she ain’t rarein for the position. With Princess Sparkle the only other candidate taken out of the runnin ah think ah better be ready to face facts.” “What about the rumor about that third candidate that was chosen after Archmage Velvet Sparkle was appointed?” “Well Dame Trixie Lulamoon was chosen as a favor to the outgoing Archmage. But in nine hundred years the only ponies to be appointed to the position have been either a Sparkle, a Kicker or an Apple. Ah doubt her Imperial Highness will just toss tradition out the window just like that?” Dash sighed, “Man this is why I hated politics.” AJ nodded sagely, after a pause “Welp I best be gettin back,” Switching back to a proper Canterlot accent, “I must not keep Duchess Granny Smith Apple waiting. I do believe were I not to check on her she might seek the company of her late husband all too soon.” Dash chuckled also switching to proper speech, “And I as well, my honored father may not hold such a title as my dear mother. But his disfavor does mean my allowance will be cut more than it already has. And I need every bit so I may attend the Wonderbolts athletic performance this weekend.” Applejack smirked, “Well fair day to you Dame Rainbow Charger Dash.” Rainbow Dash smiled ruefully back, “And you as well Barroness Applejack Apple Orange.” The duo burst into laughter as the headed their separate ways. **** Rarity checked her apparel, it was not ideal for such a sophisticated event but it was necessary. She observed the courtyard with her keen and discerning eye, nobility and common pony alike were mingling. Her clothes issue aside her looks were flawless, she was sure that she would catch the eye of some fancy noble or even some rich young entrepreneur. Garden parties were good lighting for her as the natural sun showed off her flawless white coat and gorgeous amethyst hair. But the best thing about this particular party was the host. Duke Blueblood stood in the center of the garden showing off his newest Airship. He was front and center a faint look of sadness in his eye, no doubt due to the very public breakup between him and that trollop of a princess. Rarity had felt sorry for Princess Sparkle after being painted in such a foul light after the Gala last year, but then she heard that the new Royal couple to be was none other than the Princess and the Duke. For her to denounce their relationship so vehemently could only mean that the Princess didn't care for the Dukes feelings. It was all so tragic. The Duke pining after the Princess as they grew up together. He finally working up to courage to confess his feelings. She granting him audience in her bedchamber. A steamy night of passion. But then a rumor, her chastity called into question. She needed to cover up their relationship. So she asks him to make it go away. But he misunderstands and tries to spin the rumors away knowing that after a few week the hype will die to barely an ember. But thats not good enough, her perceived chastity is more important than his feeling. She tramples all over their time together saying it was nothing but rumors and speculation. Rarity sighed, “Oh Duke Blueblood how I wish I could mend your broken heart.” “Oh silly Rarity if his heart were broken how would he be alive? Unless hes a zombie. *Gasp* Its a zombie invasion, we better stock up on brains. I wonder how brain cupcakes taste.” Rarity quickly shoved her hoof into the pink bakers mouth. “Pinky! there will be no discussion of brain cupcakes at our booth.” The proper mare stated as she removed her hoof from the offending pink mare. Pinkamena Diane Pie stood next to the refreshment table wearing a serving outfit styled to look like a an airship attendant but instead of the usual navy or khaki colors, it was white with diagonal pink stripes. Rarity was dressed in a matching set. Pinkie smiled at her partner, “Ok Rarity, but I think he looks all sady and mopey like someone who is all sady and mopey from losing their special somepony. “ Rarity looked toward the stallion surrounded by young eligible mares, “Nonsense he hides his pain well but the truth is in his eyes.” She was jealous, she wanted to be among the throng trying to comfort the heart broken Duke. “Nope, I’d say more bored.” stated Pinkie. Rarity rolled her eyes but said nothing. She noticed that the of the dessert buffet most of the blueberry cupcakes were gone. “I’ll get us some more blueberry surprize.” “Okey Doky Loky.” Rarity wondered why she was here doing such menial tasks. It was all her parents fault. though her parents were common ponies form common families Rarity knew she was more than just some common unicorn. Her father had had a successful hoofball career and so while not royalty rich they were comfortably opulent. But living in Ponyville did nothing for her socially and so she had set out on her own to make a name for herself in fashion. But that too suffered setbacks as Ponyville was in not a very fashionable place. And so her designs usually went unnoticed to all but her favorite clientele, her friends and family. Unfortunately materials cost money and since she refused to take more than half price for a friend’s dress, she usually was short of bits. Thats where she ran into problems. After her investor, her beloved papa, had hoofed the bill for a third new set of fabrics and thread, he told her The Worst Possible Thing. Get a job. So after talking with her friend Pinkie Pie she had learned that Sugarcube Corner was catering this event. It became her personal mission the get this job it was a double win. Earn the bits to make her dresses, and get to see the Duke. But her she was, working. getting sweaty, having to wear theses awful clothes. If she had known she would have made them herself. But alas, Rarity used her magic to lift the tray of cupcakes from its box. After bringing it to the table Pinkie was nowhere to be seen. A streak of panic ran through her… The Pink menace was on the loose.