Fluttershy followed the three maidens at a distance. They did not seem to mind her slow lethargic pace. She was grateful for that. Luna’s words echoed in her mind. What else did she have planned? What were her tasks? Fluttershy tried to shake the thoughts from her mind. Briefly, a glimpse from the nightmares the night before flashed across the floor.
Cockatrice and Basilisks poured from the Everfree Forest, led by… something. She could not make it out as the scene played out on the floor like a movie screen. The creature was definitely serpentine in nature, but it was also something else. She pondered this as they continued down the hallways and corridors.
She paused to look at the large golden doors that were suddenly in front of her and her entourage. Ornate carvings of ponies of all types frolicked and danced about the gleaming structure.
“Welcome to the Royal Baths, milady,” one of the maidens, a petite gray pony with tufts atop her fluffy ears tittered.
The smiling mare tilted her head to the side and beamed as Fluttershy took note for the first time that she possessed purplish leathery wings. She shivered, remembering a time she once had taken on a similar appearance.
“This spa is private and used solely by the Royal Sisters,” an earthpony chimed.
The third, a unicorn leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Although, we’ve been known to use it from time to time when they’re asleep.” She placed a hoof over her lips and winked.
The others giggled as they opened the doors and pranced inside. The Royal Baths were unlike any spa Fluttershy had ever seen. Statues of marble and crystal lined the walls, bordered by massive pillars that supported a large curved ceiling. The fresco up above depicted a beautiful blue sky. Wispy clouds dissipated and formed as they slowly moved across the ceiling. Fountains and gentle waterfalls flowed from artificial mountains made of granite. Tables of amethyst sat next to large recliners and couches.
“The fresco is enchanted to show the heavens above Canterlot,” the unicorn stated, looking up into the “sky”. “Looks like it’s going to be a wonderful day,” she fumbled with the final words, before returning to her optimistic appearance.
“Let’s get you started with a nice soothing bath,” the earthpony quickly chimed in, giving the unicorn a quick glare.
They gently led her to a large swirling pool of clear water. A gentle current ran through it, almost like the streams and rivers that flowed outside her cottage. She felt the cool waters brush and weave through her tail and around her hooves as the maidens eased her into the pool.
She felt her mane flowing back and around her as it was taken by the currents. Bubbles and the scent of lavender and strawberries filled her nostrils. She felt the maidens delicately massaging each strand of her mane. She took an easy breath as she began to feel at ease for the first time since arriving at the castle. She closed her eyes, feeling safe.
“If you don’t mind my asking,” Fluttershy began. She was reclined on one of the fluffy couches that lined the room. The trickling sound of waterfalls and streams filled the spa with a serene atmosphere where nothing else existed but the here and now. “When did you’re wings become like that?”
The earthpony massaging her back snorted as she tried to suppress a fit of laughter, while the unicorn who had taken to massaging a foreleg quietly giggled.
The bat-winged pony rolled her eyes, before continuing to massage Fluttershy’s other foreleg. “I’ve always been this way.”
Fluttershy looked at her with confusion, “But, when I became like that, it was because Twilight’s spell backfired into me.”
“Eee-nope. I was born this way. We all are.”
“All of you?”
“Yea, didn’t Luna take some guards with her when she visited Ponyville during your Nightmare Night celebrations?”
“I mostly stayed locked inside my cottage,” she deflected, looking away.
“Well, just like you’ve got earth ponies, unicorns, pegasi, and crystal ponies, you’ve also got us.”
“So you’re another type of pony? Why haven’t I heard of you? Or have I?” She looked up; trying to think of the lectures on pony physiology Twilight had occasionally given to her and her friends.
“Most of us are nocturnal, so we stick to the shadows. Some call us ‘thestrals’. A few have even taken up calling us ‘sarosians’,” she explained
“I prefer bat ponies,” the unicorn giggled. “It’s cuter.” She giggled again and nuzzled the bat pony.
Fluttershy was being dressed in a steel pleated skirt. Rivets dotted the fringed strips at the ends. The fabric felt like silk, though it did not appear to weigh her down any. When she first lifted it, it felt like a thick heavy canvas. The skirt was attached to breast and back plates by a band of the same kind of metal that dotted and wove throughout the rest of the armor. The same fabric backed the plates. It too, weighed almost nothing after the maidens had delicately pulled the garment over her with experienced precision and care.
A swirling motif of lighter silver that stood out amongst the drab dark gray of the chest piece flowed like a wave of cirrus clouds from the center and over her shoulders, ending in half curled spirals near the metal band.
She looked at her reflection in the tall mirror with curiosity. It looked just like the costume she wore during the Hearths Warming Eve play she had been in with her friends. Only this version was more detailed and lightweight. This struck her as odd. Why would Luna’s maidens want her to wear armor? Was she going to battle?
“What do you know about Ponyville?” she asked. Her voice shook only once. The spa treatment had done wonders for her. Her muscles were no longer strained and taut. She felt fully rested. She still shook whenever the visions of her friends or from her nightmares resurfaced, but she knew that she had to stay strong.
The maidens jolted and looked at each other, before returning to their work.
She waited patiently. They knew, or at least must have heard something. They had done their best to keep her mind off the topic all morning. She had gotten them to open up about their names, something that they were not used to doing for those that Luna had them service. Tree Star was the earthpony, Nightshade was the bat pony, and Red Flare was the unicorn.
Finally, Red Flare spoke, “We were ordered to not speak to you about the state of your home, or what may have happened to your friends.” She looked aside into space. Her companions flinched.
Fluttershy swallowed a hard lump, before nodding for them to continue.
“All we know,” Tree Star continued, “was that Ponyville was invaded by an ancient force from the Everfree Forest.”
“The town was empty upon arrival of the Royal Guards. They did not find anyone left. It was completely deserted,” Nightshade finished. “But do not fret. Princess Luna has a plan.” She looked at her companions and stood taller as she placed a silver helm emblazed with a puffy cloud and a jagged lightning bolt atop her head. “I have faith that you will be able to do what is needed.”
Fluttershy and Luna’s maidens walked down a long hallway. As they rounded a corner, Nightshade’s ears twitched, and a frown formed on her smiling face, “Uh-oh.”
“Uh-oh? How about no uh-oh’s for once,” Red Flare countered.
“I don’t think Celestia is happy with this idea.”
Tree Star shot her a stern look, “What idea?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Red Flare, Tree Star, and Fluttershy all shook their heads.
Nightshade rolled her eyes and let out an exaggerated sigh. “The Princess plans on having Fluttershy fly into the Everfree and kick some monster butt.”
Eeep!
Fluttershy collapsed on the floor, her wings covering her clenched eyes as she shook. She had been a brave pony for so long. She had even surprised herself that she had made it this far, but she did not want to see a basilisk ever again. She could not face Ladon again.
“Dang it, Nightshade! This is why the Princess gave us strict orders to not mention anything.” She knelt down beside the shivering pegasus, stroking her mane.
“My, fault!? It was Red Flare who first mentioned—” She was silenced by Tree Star’s cold hard glare.
In the distance, beyond Fluttershy’s whimpers they could hear two voices rising in volume and emotion.
“This plan of yours is foolish. What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking of what worked the first time.”
“The first time was not intended to end the way it did. Nor was it planned.”
“But it did work.”
“Only because she was a trained soldier.”
“Are you saying that dear Fluttershy is incapable of handling herself, sister?”
“No,” the second voice became much calmer.
The maidens finally succeed in getting Fluttershy to stand up on her own wobbling hooves and they continued down the hall toward the Throne Room.
“I have the utmost faith in her,” the voice became clear enough for them to realize it belonged to Celestia. “I just feel that an experienced detachment of the Royal Guard would be more effective.”
“If this were any other foe I would agree with you,” Luna’s voice then took on a much colder tone that gave way a hint of fear, “but not her.”
The maidens and Fluttershy waited outside the door to the throne room, fearful of attempting to touch it, let alone open it and potentially interrupt.
“If Princess Twilight’s letters are to be believed, then she possesses the only thing that would allow anyone to get close enough to stop and imprison her once more.”
They could hear Celestia sigh.
“You know this,” Luna pleaded from behind the sealed door. “You should remember what she is capable of.”
“Yes, I suppose you have a point.” Her voice faded. After a moment she spoke with renewed furor, “I’m just afraid of what she might do if she were to learn that it was passed on.”
“She will not be alone, nor will she be unprepared.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“Telling her everything and being open to revealing as much as she wants to know. Why else would I have removed the ‘privacy spell’ from the door?”
There was a poignant pause as the maidens and Fluttershy stared at each other with confused looks.
Celestia broke the silence with an unamused call, “I believe that was my sister’s way of inviting you to enter.”
The three maidens faltered as they fumbled to open the door and let Fluttershy enter the throne room. She entered the room with abated breath as the maidens bowed low and shut the door, leaving her alone with the Princesses.
Celestia fired a golden beam from her horn into the door before bowing her head. “Forgive me for not being there when you first woke.” She bit her lower lip, “I felt it would be best if you had a moment to yourself before addressing the situation myself.”
Fluttershy nodded in response. She was still trying to process what the maidens had told her and understand what Celestia and Luna were discussing. It all seemed so alien to her.
Luna let Celestia’s comment hang in the air for as long as she could before speaking, “The armor suits you.”
Fluttershy looked up at her. Her eyes were starting to become puffy once more.
“Do not fret, Fluttershy,” Celestia cooed. She embraced her with a soft warm wing. It was as if a large blanket made of feathers had been draped over her shoulders. She wiped clean Fluttershy’s eyes with a gentle hoof. “I can promise you that your friends are all safe. Not just those closest to you, but everyone from Ponyville.”
“How do you,” she squeaked looking up into her kind blue eyes. They reminded her of peaceful lakes and oceans.
“Because I know who Ladon’s Queen is. But, that information can wait.”
“Can it?” Luna’s stare was cold and stern.
Celestia looked into her sister’s eyes. “I will follow through with my plan. I will send the Royal Guard to rescue those ponies and end this. In the mean time you may go through with your plans of training Fluttershy as a backup.”
“… So be it.”
Celestia released Fluttershy so that she could kneel and be face to face. “This will be a trying time,” She placed a hoof on her shoulder, “For all of us. Know that I will do everything in my power to bring them back: all of them.”
“I know,” Fluttershy mouthed, barely able to speak once more.
The Solar Princess of Equestria squeezed her shoulder and stood up. She gave one last look to her sister and left them alone.
“While I do not agree with my sister, I do respect her,” Luna said long after the door to the throne was shut. “As much as I don’t want to, I will respect her wishes and only give you the basics of why you are here. Perhaps, in time, you will learn the rest. For now… what do you wish to know first?”
Fluttershy took several minutes to answer. There was so much she wanted to know. So much she needed to know. About her friends. About Ponyville. “Why am I wearing this armor?” It was not the most pressing question. She was not even sure if she cared; nevertheless, it was the one question she felt possessed an answer that would hurt the least.
“It belonged to a pony I believe you might refer to as Private Pansy,” Luna smiled softly.
Fluttershy blinked. “This…” she looked down at herself. “This was her actual armor?”
“You do remember when Princess Twilight was researching genealogy, do you not?”
She nodded.
“She found some most interesting things. One of which was that the armor you now don was your birthright.”
“My birthright.” The words felt odd, yet familiar. The armor sat comfortably on her. It hugged her and felt like her mother’s embrace. She looked up, “I’m related to Private Pansy?”
Mm-hmm.
“Was this what you were referring to when you said that I… possessed something? Something… to stop Ladon’s queen?”
Luna stared at her. After giving her answer some thought, she responded, “No. That is not the thing you possess; however, the armor will assist you, should you venture to her lair.”
“Then what is it?”
Luna’s eyes darted to the corner of the room and back. “I believe that would require explaining more about the Queen than Celestia believes you are ready for.” She took a step forward. “Is there anything else before I give you your next task?”
She shook her head.
“Very well,” She looked at the wall behind Fluttershy and called forth, “You may step out of the shadows now.”
A pegasus flew from behind her with a burst of speed. She did a barrel roll and flipped around, summersaulting through the air. She forcefully landed in front of her with all four hooves touching down at once with a loud thud. She blew a few errant strands of black and gray mane hair out of her eyes. “Harrumph,” she grunted, eyeing Fluttershy with a bored expression. She looked behind her at Luna, “Really, Princess? Her?”
“Is there a problem, Agent Do?”
“Yea, I’ve been following her all day. No way, I can train her.”
“I thought you liked challenges? Is your name not ‘Daring’?”
Daring Do turned her attention back to Fluttershy and smirked. “Listen, girl. I’ve been watching you for longer than you could ever realize.” She began circling the pegasus, looking her up and down. “I know you’re not as scared-y and pathetic as you used to be,” she stopped and through her pith helmet, “but, your still a weakling,” she scowled. Her hat landed on Celestia’s throne.
Fluttershy looked at her with confusion. She looked up at Luna. She turned her attention back to the scowling pegasus before her. “You’re right: I am weak.” Daring Do raised an eyebrow. “I’m weak, and scared. But I have to do this.” Her volume rose with determination and an inner strength she had only felt a few times in her life. “I must do whatever it takes to help my friends and protect Equestria.”
Daring Do smirked and looked over her shoulder at the Lunar Princess, “I make no promises.”
“I do not expect you to. You’ll have three days before her accomplice arrives.”
She did a double take. “Accomplice? You didn’t say anything about training anyone else. I’m breaking enough of my personal code with this as it is.”
Luna made her way to the door. “She will not require as much training.” She paused and turned around, “If my sister proves me wrong, and her plan succeeds, you won’t have to worry about breaking your code. Just pray that I am wrong about this.”
The two pegasi watched as the door closed with a thunk and a click.
“Training?”
“Listen up, girl! I’ve only got a few days to teach what normally takes years, so listen and listen good.” Daring Do was scowling at her again. “I’m going to be very blunt about this: you will. Fail. Your. Mission.”
Eeep.
“Rule one: none of that squeaking nonsense. Some might think it's cute and adorable, but I don’t.”
“But, I don’t want to fail. I want to save my friends.”
“I doubt it.” She sat on her haunches and looked at her hoof.