The operating hours at The Hot Trotter were slowly inching away. Celestia laid upon a couch, looking out over her little ponies, lamenting at the future. Her eyes were red from crying, her face was still moist with tears she had cried in vain. Her mane looked so much less vibrant than it had but hours ago.
"Why can't Avalon see that I need him to do what's right, even if I would much rather see him fly free?" she despaired.
It had been hours since their encounter, when she had lost her temper with him, for what seemed like the first time in a century. She had cast him away from her, the one true friend she had. The one whom always came back willing to hear her, and always wishing to see that the years had been kind to her.
"Oh, why did I do that to him?" She lamented as she laid her head upon his forgotten cloak.
As tears fell from her eyes to the lost cloak, a knock came at the door.
"Go away, I do not wish to be disturbed tonight!" the princess shouted, sounding as if she had had a warm buzz going.
"But, your Majesty,” the bar-mare called out from the other side of the door, “there is another pegasus here bearing the same rubber duckie from earlier tonight."
Celestia raised her head in surprise and inquired, "What is his name?"
"He says his name is Bifrost, Princess."
The sun diarch sighed and replied, "You may see him in then."
The door opened instantly and before her stood a blue-grey stallion with a rainbow mane: Rainbow Dash's father, Bifrost. He was also one of Avalon's best friends, the princess knew, and the only way he could have had that duck was because of the purple-maned stallion she had fought with hours earlier. The rainbow-maned stallion looked grouchy, yet determined and unflinching at the princess before him.
"I'm not impressed to see Equestria's ruler brought so low by something so great as forcing a destiny on one who only wants freedom." Bitfrost stated evenly.
"I most certainly did not force anything on him.” Celestia replied, years of diplomatic dealings covering her tears and sorrow. “In fact, I sent him away knowing he would not bend, Bifrost."
"That's all well and good, Princess,” he returned, “but it's no use. Destiny wouldn't let him have a choice, and another pegasi is dead at Avalon's hands."
Celestia's eyes went wide. Avalon had killed another pegasus. This was not good at all, the punishment for that was grave, and this may have been why Bifrost had come. She nodded, urging him to tell her more silently.
"From what I could tell, when I got there he had used that bizarre power of his. The pegasus was an assassin sent to kill Hurricane Rush and...” Bifrost sighed and shook his head. “Oh, forget it,” he said grumpily, “I'm not here to give you every detail, Princess."
She looked at him curiously. "Then what are you here for, Bifrost?"
Bitfost let his grumpiness fade. "To deliver a message from Avalon, before you raise the sun." he said solemnly.
"Well, what is this message?" she asked, waiting more eagerly than she should have for his reply.
"That he,” Bitfrost cleared his throat, “'now knows what he must do, even though he doesn't like it in the least.' He headed toward the Zebrican jungles last I saw him.” Bitfrost closed his eyes, as if remembering something. “I can see the nature of a ruler rising in him quickly."
Celestia smiled wide, a tear falling from her eye again. This time, it was from sheer joy. Though she hated that Avalon's hand was forced, it was out of her control. Destiny decreed he could not delay any longer, and the safety of Equestria was beginning to look much more secure. The princess felt a warmth began to spread outward from her heart the more the thought of what the grey stallion was doing sank in. She got up from the couch, her sorrow quickly fading away she moved to Bifrost. He, thankfully, didn't flinch.
"Thank you for your hard work Bifrost,” the sun goddess declared confidently. “I suggest you head to your daughter's, and bring her with you back to Cloudsdale immediately."
He nodded his understanding and moved to leave. The rainbow-maned stallion was easily able to interpret the intentions behind what the princess had said. When the door closed behind him, the atmosphere in the room had changed significantly. Once alone, Celestia smiled so affectionately it was almost unbelievable. The warmth she felt right now was uncharacteristic, but she knew just the right way to express it. This morning's sunrise would be something special, something to convey to Avalon, wherever he was, how much she appreciated his sacrifice. A sunrise that would let her express all the feelings she could never put to words.
She would do this with hopes that she could boost his spirits for the trials ahead, for if he was doing what she thought he was, the stallion needed every bit of morale. She trotted out the room, down the stairs and out of the club. She took flight to the castle. This would be the most beautiful sunrise she would ever make, and it was all for Avalon's willing sacrifice for the greater good.
"Please, Avalon,” she said, “look upon this sunrise, and feel the heart I put into it..." she paused before finishing her thought.”...for you."
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Bifrost flew fast to his daughter's home in Ponyville, worry edging at his mind. The Princess had asked him to get his daughter back to Cloudsdale, and this couldn't have been a passing fancy for the sun goddess. She knew that he and Rainbow Dash would need to be present in Cloudsdale, but what bothered him was why. The rainbow-maned stallion had to figure this out, but while thinking he wasn't watching where he was going.
As expected of a pony that challenges the universe, Bifrost smashed headfirst into the side of his daughter's house. Wedged half out and half in one of the walls of his little girl's house, he scolded himself for being so absorbed in thought that he forgot to watch where he was flying. It was such an amateur mistake after all, but it was then he heard a familiar noise from further in the house: snoring.
There was no mistaking it that was his little Dashie snoring, still asleep, even though the sun had already risen in the sky. Celestia had risen an especially beautiful sun this morning, and even though Rainbow wasn't a morning pony, she had missed quite the sight. Bitfrost wiggled around a bit, trying to dislodge himself in vain.
"Ugh, ponyfeathers..." he grumbled. He raised his voice to shout to his daughter. "Rainbow Dash! You lazy little filly! Get up!"
He chuckled as he heard the snoring cease and a loud tumbling sound, followed by the sound of something crashing and breaking. It killed him to not see the expression on her face, but he was sort of stuck in a wall, and it wasn't cool at all.
"Who--Who said that?” Rainbow Dash muttered loudly in the other room. “Dad, was that you? No, it couldn't have been, I must be dreaming..."
"No hun, you aren't dreaming,” Bifrost said loudly. “It is daddy, but I sort of defied the universe trying to teleport through your wall.” Realizing what had happened after he said it, he became embarrassed by his situation. “Could you come lend me a hoof?"
Within a moment Rainbow Dash came trotting around the corner her eyes lighting up at the sight. Her father, stuck in the wall. Her rainbow colored-mane was an absolute wreck, her wings were in need of a serious preening, her eyes were groggy still with sleep, and her pelt was matted and unkempt.
The grey-blue stallion cocked an eyebrow at his daughter. How could she look like she has been cooped up in her house for a week? He wondered.
"So, dad, how could you have hit the wall this badly?" The cyan mare asked with a slight chuckle.
Bifrost face-hoofed. "Dash, this isn't the time for puns! Help me out of here, would you?"
She continued to chuckle as she trotted over and began to work on pulling her father from the wall. This turned out to be harder than either of them thought. It was quite possible that in the past few years Bifrost had gained a bit of fat on his flanks, but not this much.
"Forget this dad, I've got another idea. Ya gotta trust me though..." Rainbow said hesitantly.
Looking unsure, the stallion replied, "Of course, hun."
Rainbow Dash turned about, and, from what he could tell, she was about to buck him like an apple tree. He tried not to move, simply trusting in his daughter, and he closed his eyes. He felt her hooves connect with his shoulders as he was rapidly dislodged from the wall. He fell from the home. He spread his wings and flew around to the front door this time, and waiting for him was Dash, with a broad grin upon her face.
"Where did you learn to do that?" Bifrost inquired as he landed, amazed at his daughter's accurate kick.
"My friend Applejack taught me, looks like it paid off in the long run, eh?"
"Yeah it did,” he replied. “Anyways..." Bifrost paused thinking how best to phrase his next sentence. "Hun, there is a lot to explain as to why I'm here, but I need you to trust me now."
"Dad, you look extremely serious... what's wrong?" The cyan mare asked, visibly concerned.
"Travel light Dashie,” Bifrost told his daughter. “Celestia has deemed that I come get you before I head back to Cloudsdale. Who knows why, but I wasn't one to question it. Maybe she has a plan for us in the events that are coming..."
"Dad, what's going on? That doesn't tell me anything at all!" she cried out, obviously not satisfied with her father's reply.
Bifrost looked her in the eyes calmly. "Dashie,” he said. “Just trust me."
She stood in front of him for a long moment, examining his expression, before finally deciding on what she would do. A fire softly lit within the rainbow-maned mare's eyes.
"Alright dad, I'll trust you.” She said. “I'll go grab a few things, just gimme a second." She headed inside quickly, before Bitfrost could object.
While he waited, Bifrost began to think again. All the events before him looked to point to Avalon finally taking to the throne, and maybe that was why Celestia wanted Bifrost and Rainbow Dash in Cloudsdale. Civil war was all but on the doorstep of the pegasi, waiting to break down the door. If Avalon could go before the Council of Five and claim his throne at last though, it was possible to avert the entire thing. What if war broke out anyways? What if Avalon arrived to claim his throne in the thick of things? What if--
"Okay Dad,” Dash broke into his thoughts. “I'm all ready."
Bifrost nodded to his daughter and spread his wings, taking to the skies again as she followed suit. Right now, he knew he had to start with Cloudsdale, and from there act accordingly. Something gnawed at him inside, though. He couldn't shake the feeling something bad was around the corner.
His daughter flew at his side. She had grown into a fine young mare over the past few years. He couldn't be a more proud father than he was right then. For all the age she showed, however, she would always be his little Dashie, no matter what happened, or how fast time changed the little fillies.
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The sun shone high above them, now in the skies as they set their eyes upon Cloudsdale at last. Bifrost instantly felt something was off about the atmosphere of the city, though. It was oppressive. This wasn't the same place he had almost fell asleep at last night.
"H-Hey dad, does something seem off about Cloudsdale to you?" Rainbow asked, a tint of worry in her voice.
She seemed to feel the shift in atmosphere as well. He swallowed hard, knowing something terrible was near. They flew onward, toward their house feeling, the eyes of every pegasus on them, even though most of them were in their homes. Why? Bitfrost wondered.
It was a short flight. As they came close to Bitfrost's home, though, they found it blockaded. One of the guards turned to look at them, and upon noticing Bifrost began to approach him.
The stallion was wearing the armor of the Captain, but he wasn't the same pegasus they had encountered last night. Something was definitely off, and he signaled this to his daughter with a cautionary flick of his tail. She caught the movement and slowed down behind him. This stallion seemed brutish in nature, in contrast to the highly disciplined air of the true Captain of Cloudsdale, Valor's Crest.
The guard spoke in a deep, lumbering voice. "Bifrost, I presume?"
"What if I am,” The stallion replied defiantly. “What right would you have to blockade my home as if to invade my privacy?"
"The right given by head council member Hurricane Rush." The imposter-Captain announced, a dark smile spreading across his face. Some other guards came forward with binding cuffs. "Bifrost, for aiding a pegasus in committing a murderous act, as well as plotting to aid this selfsame pegasus in overthrowing the Council of Five, Hurricane Rush has called for your immediate arrest and imprisonment. There will be no posted bail."
Bifrost's eyes shot wide in horror at the accusations. Hurricane did not make such brash decisions. Not unless he's being paranoid.
It was then Avalon's words rang in his mind, I wish to see how the Council will react to this threat. Bitfrost shoved it aside. No way could Avalon have known this would happen. He looked to his side, to his daughter, and realized that she may be the best hope for the future of Cloudsdale.
"And we see you brought your daughter as well,” the poser said with a sick delight. “I'm sure we can add her in with those charges already on your shoulders, Bifrost."
He looked back at the fake Captain of the guard, defiance in his eyes he flicked his tail. Once, to signal Rainbow to flee. He heard her whimper, and flicked his tail again irritably.
"I dare you to resist arrest, Bifrost.” The large guard goaded the grey blue stallion. “Just try it."
Rainbow Dash took flight at an amazing speed, and a few guards bolted after her, only to be instantly blocked by Bifrost. They diverted their attention to him, but instead of trying to cuff him, they attacked him. He dodged them easily. Their form was disgusting for royally-trained guards. Dash was well away from the brutes, and right now that was all that mattered to him. Even if she had no idea what was going on, she would very soon.
He began to swing his hooves back at the guards, using all the experience he had from his days in service, but he forgot just one detail: the phony Captain. It was in the middle of a counter to one of the guards he felt a massive weight hit him in the gut. The blunt end of an excessively heavy lance had somehow grown out of his stomach. He felt a cough bellow out of his body as both his breath and a small amount of blood was knocked from his body into the atmosphere below. As he looked down into the eyes of the guard Captain, he only saw darkness within them. A sick pleasure was being taken from the amount of pain he just inflicted upon Bifrost. The rainbow-maned stallion went limp, his consciousness fading out a lone thought crossed his mind. Avalon, my friend, I hope we can see each other again.