"What is going on here? We could see the fires from Canterlot!" The Princess questioned, Twilight in particular.
"A dragon attacked." Twilight said after several audible gasps.
"A dragon? Has it left?"
"Yes," Ruby spoke up before anypony else could, "we watched it fly off."
The Princess nodded, then turned to one of her soldiers, gave him a nod, and then the unicorn in question ignited his horn, and was gone the very next instant. Man, teleportation would have been so useful when I was still-
"What do you know of this dragon?" The Princess asked.
"Very little. It attacked out of the blue. What we do know is that it's specifically a wyvern, a large one at that, and it's scales are an exceptionally dark berry blue. And... it took one of my most powerful attack spells without even flinching." Twilight told her.
Oh, it was blue? Heh heh, I didn't even notice! Well... can you blame me? Studying its details wasn't exactly a priority when... yeah.
Celestia put a hoof to - wait, I stand corrected, that part just before the hoof - her muzzle, her eyes trailing down as she thought. She then, of course, put her hoof back down. Her eyes locked onto Duke, who quickly noticed this and stood at attention.
"Say, you're that... explorer, aren't you?" Celestia asked, squinting as she, probably, looked through her memory banks of ponies she had seen. That must be a big list...
"Indeed I am, Princess."
"And you were off exploring some ruins near the Everfree, correct?"
"Yes. And... well, I guess I now know what that carved wall meant." He responded, looking back at Ruby and Scarlet.
"What carved wall?" I, the Princess, the Mane 6, and even a few of the armored ponies asked, all at once.
"Deeper in the ruins, there was this ancient carved wall depicting something similar to... what just happened. A dragon had been burning-"
"We get it." Rainbow Dash interrupted him, giving him a quite frustrated look.
"Right. Well, that wasn't exactly all there was..." He trailed off, looking downwards as he recalled whatever he saw.
"And that would be?" The Princess inquired.
Ruby's horn then ignited, and from a nearby satchel-like thing floated a bag containing numerous... photos? Yeah, those were photos. The photos levitated themselves over to the Princess, where quickly the reddish-pink aura was replaced by a golden one. The photos continued over to Celestia, stopping just a short distance from her face, where she eyed them both, squinting in her study of them.
"Indeed there is more... much more..." Celestia agreed, continuing to observe the photos.
"So far, only the... dragon has at all been related to what must be the prophecy. We, unfortunately, have no clues as to who this pony is, or if they're even around right now." Duke said, and the Princess hardly even looked up from the photos, if at all.
"Wait, what pony?" I asked.
"On the wall, there is a special pony mentioned that defeats the dragon. The carving of that pony depicted an Earth Pony... but it gave no clues as to whom that pony was. And for all we know, the pony might be a unicorn or pegasus instead." Duke answered.
All eyes returned to the Princess, who had ceased studying the photos and appeared to be in thought. Something told me... an adventure was imminent.
"My little ponies," Celestia said, "We should investigate this ruin. I do believe we may be able to find something that can help us deal with this dragon. But first, we should head to Canterlot and get you all medical attention." She then turned to the armored ponies.
"Locate any and all survivors. Once you have as many as you can find, relocate them."
The armored ponies saluted, then turned and ran off in the direction of Ponyville. Celestia faced us again, then ignited her horn. Wait, oh shit, we're gonna teleport!
I can't say I had very much time to act before suddenly, with a flash, we were no longer outside Ponyville.
Now we were outside a large building, and without needing to look around I could see that we were in a street in... Great Scot! I was in Canterlot!
That was probably the last thing I thought before suddenly feeling very queasy. I had the slightest feeling that I might need to vomit. What was that all about?
I stood there, trying to stop myself from vomiting in public as the Mane 6 entered the large building, which was actually a hospital. Duke and Ruby entered as well, helping Scarlet inside. Princess Celestia had given me a look, noticing I was looking rather miserable.
"Something wrong?" She asked.
"I don't feel so good..." I tried making it not sound like a whine, but my female voice certainly didn't help me any.
"Oh, you must not have teleported before..." She realized.
"No shit, Sherlock!" I almost yelled at her.
I was almost too sick to care that she had actually taken on a very surprised expression. I sure bet she hadn't seen that one coming. She, of course, quickly shook her head and put the matter aside. I'm sure I'd hear plenty of that later.
"Other than feeling sick, are you alright?" She asked.
"Y-yeah. Perfectly fine." I did just survive a dragon attack, and all...
After that, we silently stared at each other for a few seconds. Me, I couldn't think of anything to say to the literal goddess standing before me. Even the part of me that should be incredibly excited to be in her presence was awfully quiet. And her... well, I bet she was wondering why I didn't grovel at her feet like pretty much everypony else in this country.
"Excuse me, I shall go check on our friends." She finally said, turning and walking inside. Fine by me.
I was almost all too happy to stay out there. I mean, I was in Canterlot. The Canterlot! That I was in a city built on the side of a mountain excited me. The view had to be spectacular, especially now that I could see it in real life! And speaking of views, the night sky never was very interesting to look at in the show... I wonder what it really looked like. Obviously this wasn't Earth, so they must have an entirely different set of constellations! I think I'm about to nerdgasmmm!
My happy pondering was swiftly ruined when my brain decided to remind me of today's events. Hell, it wasn't even lunch time and-
My stomach growled almost instantly. I haven't had anything to eat yet! All this excitement has... has...
I glanced down the crowded street and back at the hospital a few times. They wouldn't mind if I left to get a quick bite, would they? I mean, it's not like they'd be leaving that place soon. Broken wings obviously can't heal very quickly. Or at least, not fast enough that I'll be missed for an hour. Right?
My stomach won over my mind, and I turned my ba- no wait, tail to the hospital and started down the street... only to realize, seconds later, I didn't know where any of the restaurants were. Perhaps I should ask around?
Fairly quickly, I noted a unicorn stallion headed my way... one of those stuck-up Canterlot ponies, if his clothing had anything to say about him. But then, I didn't really care. If my stomach wasn't happy, I wasn't happen.
"Excuse me, sir," I ran up to him, and he upon realizing he was being addressed he raised an eyebrow, "But could you point me towards the nearest restaurant? I haven't had anything to eat today."
The stallion eyed me, as if debating with himself over things I probably didn't care to know, before he gave me a slight smile. "Actually, I was just heading there now. Care to join me?" If that means free food, then yes!
Perhaps I should just mention that he had that incredibly British accent most Canterlot ponies possessed? Yeah, not that it said anything about him, but perhaps just a thing to mention. I'll get to describing his appearance in just a bit.
"Sure, that'd be great." I agreed.
He then resumed walking, and I wasn't slow to follow him. We hardly got even ten steps from where we met when he spoke up.
"So where are you from? You must be new around here." He maintained eye contact with me as he spoke.
I hesitated for roughly three seconds. "P-Ponyville." The word alone brought back the terrible memories.
He stopped then to turn and face me completely, his eyes now showing nothing but pity and concern. "Oh, I'm... I'm terribly sorry, I... I didn't know..."
"Please, I'd rather not talk about it." I told him.
I suppose that even Canterlot ponies had hearts. Perhaps because a tragedy like that tended to get through even the stuck-up. At least he wasn't unfazed by it.
"Then we shall not. A good meal will hopefully cheer you up." He flashed me a hopeful smile at that last bit, then turned again and resumed walking. I hung back a few seconds before joining him in his walk. I could see where this was going. Guy meets girl. Girl just suffered the loss of her hometown. Guy buys her a meal. One thing leads to another and they love each other. Sorry, not how this man... mare (as it would now seem), operates!
I didn't mention that right then, though. The second I had the dawning suspicion he was into me, I'd break the news. Sorry, I'm taken.
A lump also formed on my throat then. What if Yellow Rock and the kids hadn't made it out after all? Wouldn't that mean I was... I wasn't... taken? He had to be alive, every bone in my body told me so, but just what if...?
I had to resist the urge to shake my head at myself. It didn't really matter, no matter what was the case, I wasn't into guys! Nor would I ever! The chances of anything... special happening between us were absolutely, positively ZERO. ZE! RO! You hear me, universe?! ZERO!!
Even with the conflict raging in my head, our walking resumed in silence, save for the clopping of our hooves on the paved street, the chattering of other ponies, the slight breeze, and the faint hush of a waterfall. Maybe that slight breeze wasn't actually slight, though. I was covered in fur, after all. Maybe I would naturally be freezing up here if I were still a human?
Don't be ridiculous. We're not that high up the mountain. Right? There isn't any snow gathered in piles here and there, after all. We can't be that high up.
Eventually we stopped just outside a building, where I could quickly smell the mouthwatering delicacies that inevitably-
My daydreaming stopped right as I remembered that I could eat meat. And they probably didn't serve it, either. So, my fantasy, right then, of sinking my teeth into a hot, juicy, undeniably delicious steak abruptly ended. That I probably would never eat meat again almost made me shed a tear. I love meat...
"We're here. Mares first?" He motioned for me to go inside.
I resisted the urge to glare at him and walked through the entrance, to be greeted by the smell of... everything that wasn't meat. Damn it, brain, stop thinking about it!
A waiter, who was standing at one of those podiums waiters generally stand at when waiting to give somebody a table, quickly raised an eyebrow at me. It was because I'm not wearing anything, isn't it? ... Oh great, now I'm blushing, thinking about it. Damn it, brain!
The stallion who accompanied me then entered, and the waiter's eyebrow went down. Wait, what's that supposed to mean?
"Table for two, please." The stallion, who's name I probably should have asked for by now, told the waiter, and without so much as a second of hesitation, he turned and started into the dining area.
The stallion started after him first, me in tow just behind him. Observing the dining room, I noticed it wasn't very busy, but there were enough ponies dining to not make the place seem vacant. I was a little uncomfortable with the red-colored interior, plus the combo of dim lighting, but I wasn't necessarily too concerned. If it came down to it, I could make like hell and get the buck out of here. Most unicorns weren't incredibly powerful, or so I hoped, and if that was indeed true, then I wasn't in for too much. It's not like... I was getting myself into... something like... Twilight's Dollhouse. That would be fucking scary as hell.
Not long after my being freaked out sightly, the two of them stopped at a table. The stallion sat on one side, and the waiter motioned for me to sit down on the opposite side. With a gulp, I let myself take a seat across from... whatever his name was.
"I'll be back with your menus." The waiter said, before walking off.
The stallion and I both nodded, and then we locked gazes with one another. So do not like where this is going...
"So, what is your name?" He asked.
"D-Daisy Heart." I really don't like where this is going...
"Ah, what a lovely name, for a mare as beautiful as yourself..." He cooed. Oh shit, he's totally trying to butter me up...
I blushed furiously. I hadn't had somepony say that to me be-
I mentally slapped myself. Get a hold of yourself! You know what he's doing, so make it stop! So much easier said than done.
"Uh, that's a, er, really... nice thing to, um, say, but, er..." Come on! Spit it out! The hell is so difficult about it?!
I had been staring into his lavender eyes for quite some time. The look in them... it's hard to describe. What I can say is that his eyes told me that he wanted me... and that quickly raised all kinds of red flags. That and his appearance... his lavender coat which had gotten darker due to the lighting... his scarlet red mane (and tail)... and I couldn't forget the waiter's initial response to me, and then his reaction to this guy entering... something didn't add up.
I needed to get out of here. And fast.
"So, uh, what's your name?" I needed time. Having him focused on talking about himself should give me some time to make an escape plan. My gut told me this was more than just being generous to a stranger. For all I knew, he was secretly a serial killer... and was good at it.
"Prince Facade..." Facade. I didn't even hear the rest of what he said.
That sold it. I had to get out of here. Damn, can't even have a meal around here without falling into the sights of a freaking serial killer. The universe hates me.
When he finished talking, his focus almost instantly reverted back to me. I could seriously feel the weight of said focus locking onto me. I had begun to sweat. I didn't want to die. Not like this.
About then was when the waiter arrived with the menus he promised... and two glasses of water. He set the menus down in front of us, and the glasses of water as well.
"Take your time. I'll be back." He said, turning and walking off. Leaving me with Facade.
He looked me over, watching my every action. My breathing. My increasing nervousness. The sweat that had begun to get past my fur coat and reveal themselves. I could feel him scanning me. I was in deep shit.
With his magic, he levitated his glass to his lips and took several long, loud sips. And in doing so, he revealed to me, without so much as a word, the dryness in my throat that had been developing all day. I hadn't a drink since yesterday. And of course, sitting before me, was a glass of water. And I didn't need to see it to know it was drugged.
He stopped drinking and set the glass, letting out a refreshed moan as he locked gazes with me again, causing me to swallow. Silently, I knew he urged me to drink. Silently, he commanded me to drink. And you wouldn't believe how much I really wanted to.
"Aren't you going to drink?" He asked, licking his lips, making me want to to drink even more than I previously had. "You look absolutely thirsty. And you're sweating. A glass of water will satisfy you."
Out of the corner of my vision, I noticed the waiter return, except stop a few feet from me. Blocking my exit. Facade simply sat there, an innocent smile on his face as he levitated his glass again and took another sip. They were waiting. Waiting for me to make a move. Waiting for me to cave in to thirst and guzzle that drugged water in front of me like there was no tomorrow. Waiting for me to play straight into their hooves.
Waiting... to kill me.