"I can’t stand it!" whined a voice. "All these ill-bred rubes dining in Canterlot Castle? It’s unheard of! We had this room reserved for tomorrow!"
"Come now, Jet Set, have a heart," replied a distinguished voice, "These poor folks have lost their homes."
"Did you say ‘folks?’ For goodness sake, you’re even starting to talk like them. Just because they’ve had a bit of bad luck doesn’t mean they should be allowed to just wander about, getting under everypony’s hooves! They have that camp for a reason."
Having seen a young Canterlot couple invite Applejack and her family for a night on the town, Alpenglow was in a relatively peaceful mood, even as he watched Rarity’s eyes boil at the pompous unicorn standing at the ballroom entrance. He was just as inclined to ignore the situation, but duty called him to keep a professional air as he followed Rarity towards the source of the grating voice: the pony apparently named Jet Set, who was standing next to a fussy-looking mare and an older stallion wearing a monocle and vest. The three unicorns took notice of Rarity as she closed on them.
"You, sir, are everything ponies hate about Canterlot," scowled Rarity. "You prance about, thinking yourself better than everypony else when there are others in need. How can you be so callous?"
To Alpenglow’s curiosity, the unicorn with the monocle said nothing as he thoughtfully considered Rarity’s reprimand. The dapper fellow looked at Jet Set, waiting for a response.
"Oh. It’s you," he said in a tone that was quickly getting on Alpenglow’s nerves. "It’s no surprise to me that you don’t see the bigger picture. The ponies from that town are a problem. That camp of theirs is becoming a bigger nuisance every day. All that commotion, all that mess- it’ll be no time at all until we’re all bumbling about, sick as dogs because of them."
The mare croaked, "I don’t think Miss Rarity is broad-minded enough to appreciate the bigger implications of having those ruffians around. After all, she seems quite happy living among them. Maybe she likes it, some sort of misguided affinity for the poor fools?"
"More likely she enjoys holding herself above them."
"Hah! Queen Rube! Has quite a nice ring to it, doesn’t it, dear?"
The fancy unicorn frowned. "Now, now, there’s no need for-"
Alpenglow stopped the fellow with his hoof. Rarity’s face was a star about to go nova. "And I suppose that makes you the king and queen of pretentious country-club brats," he said in a level voice.
Wide-eyed, the two unicorns glowered at him. "And just who are you?" demanded Jet Set.
"My name is Alpenglow. I'm a royal guard."
"Oh perfect, another mindless drone," squawked the mare. "I’m sure you of all ponies can explain the politics of the situation to her."
Alpenglow wasn't impetuous, but had he thought he could get away with it, he would have certainly clubbed her over the head with a nearby punchbowl. He took two steps towards the two unicorns, towering over them, his chestplate brushing against Jet Set's frilly, tied-back sweater.
"I won’t pretend to understand you," he said deliberately, "but I will endeavor to make you understand me. You do not speak to Miss Rarity- ever- in such a disrespectful manner. She is not only a close friend of mine, but of the princesses, and will be treated with respect. Now, you will render that respect, or I will plant my hoof in your mouth. Do I make myself clear?"
Jet Set’s jaw dropped. "You, you dare threaten…you brutish, savage…"
As Alpenglow stepped even closer to the two unicorns, the monocled one cleared his throat. "I strongly suggest you two retire for the night," he said in a refined voice, "This young stallion looks like he means business." The two unicorns pouted, and with a final ‘humph,’ they left the ballroom.
"Thank you, Fancy Pants," said Rarity. "I couldn’t think of anything to say that wouldn’t have been outright unladylike."
"You were well in your rights to be, though it’s quite good you were able to keep yourself together. I haven’t a clue what’s gotten into those two the past few days. Regardless, it’s good to see you again. I’m terribly sorry about Ponyville."
"And I as well. Thank you."
Fancy Pants turned to Alpenglow. "As for you, young stallion, I respect a pony who’s willing to be frank in the face of such foul behavior. Rarity, would you care to introduce me to your juggernaut of a friend here?"
With a smile that glittered, Rarity answered, "Yes. Yes I would."
The dinner was long over when Twilight awoke to the sound of voices whispering in the hall. She pushed back the sheets, and quickly noticed her room was still pitch black. Taking care not to wake Spike, she climbed out of bed and tiptoed to the door. A soft glow at the foot of the door prompted her to investigate, and with a touch more delicate than a wisp of smoke, she pulled it open.
Thankful that Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie had opted to sleep at the camp, she quickly made her way past their rooms and towards the glow just around the corner at the end of the hall. Princess Celestia’s voice gently reflected from one decorated wall to another.
Coming to the bend, Twilight peered out for only a moment before ducking back, but that was plenty of time to see who was talking with Princess Celestia in the common area. She and Luna were sitting on a couch across from Alpenglow, all silhouetted by a lamp on the table between them.
"…I still believe we should have told Twilight earlier," whispered Luna.
"I hear you, Luna, but I just didn’t want her dreading it all week. This is the first time since I met her that she’s seemed relaxed."
"We’re not disagreeing, Alpenglow, but are you sure they’ll all be ready by tomorrow?"
"Don’t worry, I promise they'll be fine. I don’t expect the fight to last too long, as long as the shield holds and no seeds leave Ponyville. We just need to be careful. There’s no question he’ll try something once he figures out what we’re doing." Alpenglow sighed. "They’re a wonderful bunch, Celestia. I wish we didn't have to bring them in."
"They’ll be alright. You know as well as us they're stronger than they look." Then, the three of them were quiet. A clock, hidden somewhere in the dark corners of the room, ticked the seconds away one by one. It played the melody of the night, until Alpenglow spoke again.
"You remember that one night during the Equestrian Games, the eight of us falling asleep during the speeches?"
Princess Celestia chuckled softly. "Yes, that was…very embarrassing, being woken up the games coordinator. In all fairness, the preparations were exhausting."
"I’m trying to remember…what was the coordinator's name again?"
"I care not to try," sneered Luna. "She was quite unpleasant, like a shrew crossed with a viper." The three quietly laughed, then were silent again.
"I’m sorry to keep bringing this up, Alpenglow, but you must carefully consider how this may affect you," Luna pressed.
"We've been over this already. It’s up to Twilight alone. What kind of pony would I be if I didn't trust her now? She and her friends have given too much for me not to. She'll do what's right. I know she will."
"You never did place much importance on safety or forethought," said Luna.
"What can I say, you two taught me well."
"It just seems cruel to throw all this at her at once," said the Princess.
"One last lesson, Celestia. If she can do this, then there’s no doubt that she’ll be ready for whatever else the world throws her way."
Princess Celestia sighed. "I can’t argue with that. I suppose you’ve made up your mind?"
"I have." He paused. "Here, we probably shouldn’t be burning the midnight oil, given tomorrow. We’ll talk more in the morning, and then I’ll talk to Twilight." He yawned. "Sorry, Luna, guess this means I’ll have to take a rain check on that manticore bout."
"Take care you are not too out of practice when we finally do."
Twilight heard the princesses and Alpenglow stand. Before she knew it, she was back in her room, easing the door closed.
"Goodnight, Alpenglow," the Princess whispered. "We’ll see you in the morning."
Twilight could still hear the soft clatter of hoofsteps as she let the doorknob turn to its unopened position. After half an hour, she decided the ceiling above her bed was not going to offer any predictions about tomorrow, and let her trust in the Princess and Alpenglow finally carry her to sleep.