//------------------------------// // Worry // Story: Canine Complications // by Wages of Sin //------------------------------// "So tell me, what's the plan?" Rainbow Dash asked in a whisper, leaning over into the isle conspiratorially as she and the other elements of harmony rumbled along on the train towards Canterlot. There hadn't been any private cars like they had on their trip to Appaloosa scheduled on this leg of the trip until later in the day, so they had been forced to settle for the less comfortable, and much less private bench seating. "Sit up darling," Rarity commanded, tutting at the stunt-pony's posture "And stop whispering, there is no reason to act so suspicious." Rainbow frowned, before leaning back in and whispering again, "We talked about going to the castle, but surely that's not all of it! You have a plan right? Spill it! How's this really going down?" "Dear, we really are merely doing what Princess Luna's letter asked. Yes, I'm worried about Twilight after... What Celestia said she was planning... But, Luna appears to understand the situation better, and once we tell her Fluttershy's theory, I think we may be a little closer to getting this whole dreadful mess sorted out." Rainbow rolled her eyes, "Ok, ok, fine! I'll just sit here bored until then, wake me up when we get there." Rainbow threw back her head, and her years of practice kicked in as she was out like a light. Rarity stared at the unconscious pegasus with no small amount of envy. She wondered what having that ability to sleep instantly would do for her beauty naps. "Rarity?" Fluttershy almost imperceptibly asked, breaking her from her thoughts. She shifted, turning to face the pegasus next to the window beside her, "You don't think they... hurt Twilight, do you?" she asked, cowering. "We've been over this darling." Rarity said comfortingly, "The letter didn't say anything about it, but I'm sure they wouldn't intentionally, and if they did, it would be they who would be in the wrong, not us, and certainly not you." Fluttershy feigned an unconvincing smile, "I guess you're right... It's just..." "I know dear... I know..." "Get up ya lazy-" "I'm up! I'm up!" Rainbow pleaded before Applejack could get too close. The farm pony recently taken to shaking her when she was caught napping in the orchard, and while Applejack would claim that she was just trying to make sure she was ok, Rainbow was certain that Applejack was just using that as an excuse to shake her around with her absurd earth pony strength. She used to be able to ignore the farmpony, sleeping through the hours in those wonderful trees, but more and more now she would awaken to the slightest provocation from Applejack. When Twilight had heard her complaining about it, she had gone into instant researcher mode, asking questions and saying something about "Ponlovian conditioning", saying that over time she would- "Ya coming?" Applejack asked with a raised eye. Shaking herself from her semi-delirious musings, Rainbow hoped to her hooves and followed the group out the doors to the platform, taking flight as soon as possible. Rarity meanwhile, was busy soaking in the sights of Canterlot once again, at least until a throat clearing drew her attention to a small nearby crowd standing off to the side of the platform. "Oh, were you trying to board? I'm terribly sorry, let me just- AIEEEE!" Rarity's screech alerted the rest of the group to the nearby crowd's odd behavior, and then to their odd dress, and then to their sharp teeth, silted eyes, and bat wings. "Ladies Belle, Dash, Apple, and Pie?" The foremost guardmare, likely the one who coughed, asked. "Yes?" Rarity asked coming to the forefront with a self-conscious blush, "Are you here to escort us to Luna?" "Indeed, though there should be another with you? A Miss Fluttershy?" The mares looked around for their friend, but where she had been moments before remained only empty space. "Here..." a nearby trash can said. "Oh goodness!" Rarity screeched, "Come out of there! It's filthy!" She ran over to help her pegasus friend out of the can, but before she arrived, two of the armored guards were already hefting her from her shelter. She didn't struggle, but it was apparent from her wincing that she was uncomfortable being mare-handled as she was. Thankfully, they released her onto her own hooves a moment later and returned to their lines without fuss. “Now that you are all here, it would be best that we were off quickly. Her majesty has been forestalling until such time as you all were in attendance. While the Lunar guard spoke, Rarity had been inspecting Fluttershy's mysteriously pristine coat, but at hearing the guard she put such concerns aside for the moment. “'Forestalling' what exactly?” she asked anxiously. “Yeah! What’s this all about?" Rainbow shouted, coming muzzle to muzzle with the slate-grey thestral. "I'm not at liberty to say." She stated flatly, meeting Rainbow's glare and holding it. "TWEEEEEEEEEEE!" The mares would have no doubt continued to hold their glare despite the train whistle, had it not been for the almost simultaneous crashing sound that followed. Turning defensively towards the sound both mares were met by the sight of the same pair of guards hefting a sheepish looking Fluttershy from her now overturned trashcan shelter. "Now that that's sorted out please follow me." The gruff guardmare stated "We must travel quickly, the princess is expecting us." Any further attempts to inquire about the situation were all ignored by the guards, much to the growing consternation of the mares. Rarity's polite facade was beginning to visibly crack as her polite questions went without even acknowledgement, and Applejack was getting frustrated as well, but Rainbow in particular was beginning to fume as all her attempts to forcefully gain the guards attention went ignored. As they drew down the familiar hallways towards the throne room, the building tension snapped as a whimpering pathetic howl could be heard echoing through the halls. "That's it!" Rainbow shouted as she suddenly bolted ahead. The leading pair of guards shooting off after her. The other mares were quick to follow, with Pinkie bouncing ahead while Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy tried to keep up. The remaining guards kept on their hooves behind them. It was as if the whole castle had suddenly come alive at the sound of the howl. The previously empty halls were now swarming with guards, but their presence was second on the minds of the mares to finding Twilight quickly. Rainbow could tell that she was still being followed even as she bolted around corners and wove through columns to ditch her pursuers, but at the same time she could tell that even with their bat wings' increased maneuverability in the tight halls, her lead was insurmountable. She knew she might not be able to shake them, and she may not exactly know where she was headed, but she would certainly arrive there first. Finally turning down a familiar hallway, she recognized the grandiose doors to the throne room. Turning without hesitation she smashed through the doors with one thing on her mind: saving Twilight.