Missing writer found lost in the forest!
After he went missing four days ago during a hike for his next paper, the success author Trenderhoof was found wandering around the woods near Fillydelphia. Once rescued and back to the civilization, the disoriented writer claimed that the wind and the thunder had been chasing him during the four days of his adventure, despite the fact that the Fillydelphia weather management team assured there had been nothing but slightly cloudy weather over the woods in question during those last four days. He then went on about the forest spirit that ‘’marked'' him as part of its territory, something our interviewer confirmed by the following statement: “He sure smelled like someone who pissed himself.”
More about Trenderhoof’s stay in the Fillydelphia’s Central Asylum in page twelve.
First steps for the new generation of the Council of Harmony!
Four years after the last member of this prestigious institution, Lady Cinnabelle, retired after twenty years of faithful duty to the crown, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna finally appointed someone at the leadership of the Council of Harmony and the seat of Representative of Magical Arts. The bright young lady they’ve chosen for this task is Twilight of the small, but well known Canterlot Household Sparkle.
For those who may not know about this minor Noble Family, it has already given Equestria more than a few important figures or heroes such as the Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor/Sparkle; the Master Arcanist of Canterlot, Velvet Sparkle; and the Head of Luna’s Royal Astronomy Guild, Night Light Sparkle. Respectively Brother, Mother and Father of the new Council Member.
The young Lady’s nomination was a surprise for a lot of people, even for the youth in question, despite the fact that she had admitted having Princess Celestia as her mentor for the last few years. Lady Sparkle confessed to our reporters that she has a lot to learn to be worthy of that honor the Princesses gave her a couple of weeks after her eighteenth birthday, and that she would do her best as long as the Princesses need her.
More about the young Lady Sparkle and her academic years in page eight, nine, and ten.
Dear Sunset,
I’ve read about that Council member business, and I figured I could come to Canterlot to see how you were when it was my day off. Sadly, when I arrived at your room in the Arcanium dorm tower, I found out that someone else had taken your room after your departure the day before my visit. I asked around if someone knew where you went, but none of your fellow Arcanium students seemed to know.
Oddly enough it was Velvet Sparkle who told me that I could try to join you at your home in Salt Lick City, though she also told that she’d pull some strings to have me incarcerated if I ever make one step in one of her students direction again. Sadly, my schedule doesn’t allow me to get there to see you, hence the letter you’re reading. Anyway, it’s mostly to ask how are you doing right now. Your sudden departure from Canterlot worried me quite a bit.
Also, I’ve got the time to think about what you asked me before your final trials, and I’ve come to a decision. I’m willing to try if you’re still interested in me. I think it’s time for me to grow up and stop playing around. I’d still gladly play with you of course. I can’t believe I just wrote that. I wonder if it has the same panache as when I say it outloud. Though, you’re probably wondering why I haven’t written something like that earlier in the letter.
Anyway, I miss you a lot and you’ve been in my mind a lot more than I would ever confess to you face to face. What I’m trying to write is that I love you… I really wish I could have told you that in person, but I think it’ll be best for you to know it as soon as possible.
Hoping you’re well and for fast reply from you,
Love,
Cloud Kicker
Dear Ms Kicker,
We inform you that no one under the name of Sunset Shimmer, or under that surname seems to have ever lived at the address you’ve noted on your letter. Therefore we’re sending it back to you.
Yours truly,
Salt Lick City Post Service
Sergeant Kicker,
I’ve already given you the address Ms. Sunset Shimmer gave to our administration when she enrolled at the Arcanium. Also, I do not appreciate you implying that I misinformed on purpose in your letter. Either she lied during her enrollment, which is a crime by Equestrian law, and while she was a wild spirit, Sunset was not one to break the law, or she simply doesn’t want to see you. I sincerely hope for her it’s the latter.
Velvet Sparkle, Master-Arcanist of Canterlot
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New Council Member forms the Junior Wonderbolts!!!
The recently appointed Councilor of Sports and Ethics, Rainbow Dash,’s suggestion of a younger Royal Guard unit under the direct supervision of the famous Wonderbolts, both elite stunt flyers and soldiers, has been accepted by their Captain, Spitfire Maverick, and Princess Celestia. The purpose of this young team is to assure the future of the Elite Squadron that are the Wonderbolts by letting a selected group of teenagers learn from them to diminish the adaptation period for newly recruited Wonderbolts, who are only accepted in their Academy at the age of twenty-one, with a few exceptions like the Councilor’s mother, Firefly, who entered the team at the age of seventeen.
“It will be a great honor for us to start this program,” Spitfire declared to our interviewer with sincerity. “I hope it will be a good experience for those who’ll get their chance in it, and I look forward working with Rainbow Dash personally, even if I’m a bit nervous. You see, I’ve never had any apprentice of my own, so I don’t really know how to handle it… but I’m sure I’ll figure it out quickly enough.”
More about Spitfire Maverick and Rainbow Dash in page six and seven
Dear daughter,
I’ve read something quite surprising in the day before yesterday newspapers. Apparently, the famous Captain Spitfire Maverick never had a protegée before the new Council Member, unlike what you told us in your rare letters from Las Pegasus. Your father and I thought you knew better than to lie about something like that.
Just so you know, Alula went back from school in tears because many of her classmates told her she was a liar. She had told everyone that her big sister was a special Royal Guard trained by the Great Spitfire herself, despite our warning to not make a too bigger deal out of it for it might be some exaggeration from your part. It looks like we were right in the end, and we’re wondering if you’re really a second class sergeant in the Ponyville Guard. After all, if you lied about your mentor, maybe you lied about that as well.
Know that your father and I are very disappointed in you right now, and we strongly advise you to not write to us or Alula. Adapting to the life in Cloudsdale had been hard enough for her, she doesn’t need to deal with her sister’s wild fantasies in addition to that.
Your mother, Nimbus Kicker.
Dear mother,
I’m sorry that Alula got problems because of me. I truly am. It has never been in my intentions to do anything to hurt her in any way, but I want you to know that I didn’t lie to you about everything that happened during my training, and I’m sad to see you believe the newspapers more than your own daughter. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised by this, since that “family sticks together” thingy never actually worked for us.
As for yours and Dad’s disappointment, I’ve been constantly living with it since the day following me being attacked by a Manticore, and I think I’ve had enough of it for the rest of my life. So how about you and Dad take it back and promptly shove it deep in each other’s ass? Maybe if you had done that years ago, that would have sparked something between you two again, and Dad would never have felt the need to visit Mrs Silverrain’s apartment late at night. Yeah, I know about the real reason you wanted to move back to Cloudsdale. Heck, I probably knew long before you did.
Your former-daughter
PS: For Alula: I’d understand if you’re mad at me, Sis, but know that I love you and that I never lied to you.
PPS: For your information, Nimbus, it was Sergeant FIRST CLASS back then, and it’s Master Sergeant now.
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Captain Shining Armor,
As you know, I’m retiring in a few weeks and in the light of that, I’d like the Master Sergeant Cloud Kicker to take over the command of the Ponyville Platoon after my departure, and thus having her promoted to the rank of Lieutenant First Class.
I know that Kicker is a bit too young for such responsibility, and that she didn’t do the officer training like Master Sergeant Shields, but I can’t think of anyone else taking the reins after me: She’s known and well respected by the townsfolk and the whole platoon; She knows Ponyville like the back of her hand; She’s got a good head on her shoulders despite what some might say; And her service record speaks for itself.
After all, without her fast thinking and leadership that Hydra incident two months ago would have taken a much more disastrous turn.
I hope you take some time to consider this last request of mine.
Lieutenant Constance Vigilance of Ponyville
Captain,
Since when did it become a thing for the Captain of the Royal Guard to have to ask a boot camp Sergeant for recommendations for a backwater town promotion? I have work to do here! I don’t wander around the Castle with my Princess-bride-to-be in order to decide what flowers to put on the tables for my wedding reception. Congratulations by the way!
All jokes aside, I fully support your will of having Kicker promoted Lieutenant. Constant Vigilance might be an old hag now, but I would trust her judgement regarding her own town and troop, and I knew the girl had what it takes to command when she left Las Pegasus, even if someone forgot.
Anyway, you have my opinion on the matter, though I’m still wondering why you asked for it. Have fun at your wedding, and I “apologize” for not coming. Unlike some others, I can’t decide to skip the annual maneuvers.
Sergeant Crystal Pagétonas
Captain Armor,
You’ve already complained about the angry letters regarding her flirty attitude, if we can call it like that, whenever she was sent on missions outside of Ponyville, and you will probably have even more of those when she becomes Lieutenant, even if her job's done. That’s all I had to say, and now you can’t pretend I didn’t warn you.
Lieutenant Spitfire Maverick
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“Lieutenant Kicker,” Blossomforth’s voice came from the other side of her office door after three quick knocks. “There are a couple of letters for you.”
“Bring them to me, Blossom,” Cloud replied casually, her eyes following her quill as it glided on the report she was writing.
True to her words a year and a half ago, Cloud had chosen Blossomforth as her second in command, much to the watermelon-haired woman’s honor and displeasure alike. Blossomforth had no trouble regarding taking orders from Cloud, but the blonde could still get on her nerves by not respecting the proper protocol when addressing to her: Something Blossomforth knew Cloud did on purpose.
“You should call me Sergeant, Lieutenant,” Blossomforth reminded with a frown as she closed the door behind her. “I shouldn’t have to remind you of that.”
“And I shouldn’t have to remind you that you’re as important as me in running this whole thing, and that the only reason you’re not Lieutenant yourself is because the platoon can’t have two people at the top of the chain of command,” Cloud reminded playfully. “Did you talk to Gale this morning?”
“Yes, I have,” Blossomforth let out as she put the three envelopes on the Lieutenant’s desk, her cheeks a bit rosy at the compliment Cloud had just given her. “She declined your offer to become a corporal, again.”
Cloud sighed with a roll of her eyes. “She still claims she’s fine as a simple axe-wielding grunt?”
“Yes,” Blossomforth nodded. “She also added that, as a simple soldier, she would never have to be concerned by paperwork.”
“Looks like she’s a lot wiser than you and I ever were after all.” Cloud chuckled as she signed the report she had just finished.
“I couldn’t agree more, Lieutenant,” Blossomforth admitted, joining Cloud’s short laugh with her own.
“Now, let’s see what do we have here,” Cloud whispered as she took the three envelopes and checked the sender’s name at the back of the first one. “Haaa, Trend’s monthly letter,” Cloud sorely let out as she extended the envelope to Blossomforth. “You know what to do with it.”
“I can’t believe he’s still writing to you!” Blossomforth said as she threw the envelope in the chimney. “It’s been more than a year since you wrote him to stop sending those because you had no intentions of reading them.”
“Pagétonas was right, he can’t take a hint,” Cloud shrugged as she read the second letter which had been sent by the Mayor. “Well, what do you know… The Mayor tells me that Ponyville has passed the first selection for hosting the Equestria Games.”
“Really?!” Blossomforth nearly shouted with wide eyes. “Wow! And here I thought they wouldn’t even read the Mayor’s candidature letter.”
“Well, Sweet Apple Acres increasing its exportations, and Vinyl and Applejack’s roles in the Royal Wedding Incident must have helped in bringing some attention on Ponyville,” Cloud supposed softly. “She’s asking me to think of the organization of the platoon with the many tourists, athletes and royals that will come if Ponyville’s chosen in the end.”
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared,” Blossomforth nodded while Cloud checked the sender of the last envelope before the blonde froze in stupor. “....Lieutenant?... Cloud, what is it?” she asked with worry when Cloud didn’t answer to her title.
“It’s...It’s from my little sister,” Cloud let out slowly.
“Oh,” Blossomforth let out casually, not knowing that Cloud hadn’t contact with her family since that letter she sent her parents shortly after the Junior Wonderbolts founding a year ago. “Do you want some privacy?”
Cloud didn’t reply to her and simply unfolded the letter before reading it in silence. From the movement of her superior’s eyes, Blossomforth deduced that the message wasn’t really long and that it probably wasn’t something important. Though she stopped thinking that when Cloud’s purple eyes lost their ever present, playful glint in favor of a veil of sadness. Cloud let the letter fall on her desk before pinching the bridge of her nose with a long sigh.
“...Sergeant, could you do me a favor and take care of finishing next week’s planning?” Cloud asked in a low, lifeless tone. “I need to clear my mind,” she added slowly.
“...Sure,” Blossomforth quietly replied with a brief nod as Cloud folded the letter back in the envelope before putting in one of her pockets. “... I think there’s a country night at Bon-Bon’s tonight.”
“Thank you, Sergeant,” Cloud whispered, standing up from her desk. “I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
And with that Cloud went out of her office, leaving Blossomforth with the stack of paper that composed next week’s planning. After that, Blossomforth sat at the desk and took the planning. To her surprise, most of it was already organized: she only had to complete Sunday afternoon and night shifts. Musing about how quickly Cloud had adapted to commanding a platoon instead of a section of the guard back when she was Master Sergeant, Blossomforth got down to work.
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Hey Sis,
It has been a while, hasn’t it?
I heard you were in Cloudsdale recently, something about getting supply for Ponyville’s Guard Unit. I have a friend who’s the niece of Senator Doo, the one you discussed with. (If you’re wondering, no, they’re not related to Ditzy. How’s she by the way?) I was a bit sad that you didn’t come to visit, but I guess that with the last letter you sent to Mom, it wasn’t going to happen.
Yes, I managed to read that letter, and first of all, I’d like to say that I’m sorry for being mad at you back then. You’re my sister, and I should have believed in you instead of those jackasses. When my friend Scootaloo, Senator Doo’s niece, told me that you were the commanding officer of Ponyville, I was so excited that I ran back home to tell Mom & Dad about it. I realize now that I probably shouldn’t have.
News fly fast in Cloudsdale, and the Weather Management here is really, really tied to the Guard and Praetorians. I didn’t know, but it turned out that Mom & Dad already knew about your promotion… and the other stuff you do. There’s apparently a Lieutenant in Detrot who’s pissed at you for taking his daughter’s promotion when you both finished boot camp. I think he’s the one who started the rumor you slept your way to the top and many think like him because you’re commanding a platoon after a year of active service only…
Mom is part of those, and when I told her about your promotion she… said that she already knew that you had an affair with Captain Armor for that. Her tone clearly showed that for her, that was the only explanation and that pissed me off a lot, and it pissed off Dad as well.
He and I yelled at Mom, asking how she could say that with so much certitude when she hadn’t seen you in nearly five years. Mom snapped back at Dad, telling him that considering what he did with Mrs Silverrain back in Ponyville it wasn’t surprising that you had ended up as a homewrecking slut. I’ve never seen Dad so furious. They argued like never before, they even wrecked the living room… They didn’t hurt each other or me, they just broke stuff. It ended with Dad saying he can’t stand Mom anymore. He went out of the house and went back drunk as possible, talking about getting divorced.
I’m staying at Scootaloo’s house for the moment so that they can work things out. I don’t know if they’re going to stay together or not. It’s probably not how you wanted me to contact you again after so long, but I thought you deserved to know about the situation… Also, if they do divorce, I was wondering if I could come live with you instead of with one of them? I really don’t want to take side, and I miss you a lot.
You don’t have to answer right away, it might not happen at all, though I really want to see you again too, so maybe I could just visit when you’re not too busy. Let me know if it’s possible.
Love,
Your little sister, Alula
PS: I just re-read it, and I want you to know that I do not hold you responsible for what's happening between Mom and Dad, so don’t start thinking that.
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The fast-paced melody played by the band at Bon-Bon’s had already did a good job at clearing Cloud’s mood. After only five minutes of dancing, Cloud had already received more than a few fiery glances by some of the nearby dancers and the lead fiddler, who she recognized as Applejack’s cousin Fiddlesticks. If she wanted to, Cloud was certain she wouldn’t finish the night alone. And for Cloud, sex was the best way to clear her mind of what weighed on it.
Despite Alula’s post-scriptum, Cloud was feeling responsible for what happened and was happening with her parents. She didn’t know for sure if she was the cause of her parents’ issues, but her behavior and reputation had exacerbated them. That was one thing she was sure about regarding her parents’ situation. Deep down, she knew that she was trying to forget that by doing exactly what had worsened the whole problem, but she didn’t care at the moment. She needed to forget her parents for a while.
Thinking about her parents’ breaking apart from one another was making her remember about her own breaking apart from them and the letter with which she had done so. That letter brought back the moment her mentor had rejected her very own existence in the newspaper in favor of a brat of the Council of Harmony. Thinking about the Council brought the memories she had of Sunset. And all those thoughts and memories simply had to get out of her head.
After taking a pint of cider from Lyra, who had been briefed by Cloud and Blossomforth to never serve the former too much alcohol, Cloud wandered around, her predatory purple eyes scanning the room for the lucky man or woman that would make her forget. After a quick survey of the crowd, Cloud settled down for a young, dark skinned girl with violet hair, sitting alone at a large table. The Lieutenant knew all the pretty girls that lived in Ponyville, and that purple-clad cutie was definitely not from around here.
Thanks to Applejack and Vinyl’s visit two or three weeks ago, Cloud had a good idea of who the girl was, that fact she looked familiar despite having never seen her before reinforced her suspicions about the girl’s identity. There could have really dramatic consequences to what she was about to do, but Cloud didn’t care. Cloud slowly made her way to the table and sat right next to the girl.
“Huh, excuse me?” she called softly. “I’m guarding this table for my friends.”
“Phew, lucky me!” Cloud let out with a warm smile, earning a confused frown from the chocolate-skin girl. “I thought a pretty girl like you would be waiting for her boyfriend.”
“Oh!” the girl let out with a mad blush. “I don’t have a boyfriend. I’m just waiting for my friends.”
“That’s why I said lucky me.”
Cloud purred while leaning a bit forward, her purples eyes locking with the girl’s. The girl held Cloud’s gaze for a brief moment before looking away with a small giggle and bright red cheeks. Satisfied with herself, Cloud took a sip of her pint before waving at one of the passing waiters to come here.
“Can I offer you a drink?” Cloud asked as the waitress who had seen her came closer.
“...Glass of white wine, please,” the girl whispered softly.
“Coming right up, Miss,” the waitress replied politely before she faced Cloud briefly. “Careful, Cloud. She came with Applejack and Vinyl.”
“I figured as much, Ruby,” Cloud nodded with a smile. “Thanks for warning me nonetheless.”
“You know Applejack and Vinyl?” the girl asked while Ruby went to get her glass of wine.
“They were my first friends when I moved here from Cloudsdale as a child,” Cloud replied with a smile. “Probably among the best friends I could ever have.” The girl returned her smile. “Cloud Kicker,” Cloud said as she extended her hand toward the dark-skinned girl.
“Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight replied warmly, shaking hands with Cloud.
A few minutes later, Cloud was right where she had planned to be: at the table, the ebony beauty’s arms around her neck, and her tongue struggling to keep up against the blonde’s and her mind clear of all thoughts with the exceptions of what she’ll do to Twilight if she would accept to come to her place. Cloud suspected that the Council member wouldn’t mind much, though she would have never suspected how the girl would manage to make her forget all her troubles.