//------------------------------//
// Don't Jilt Zephyr Breeze 
// Story: The Royal Canterlot Family 
// by CartoonNerd12 
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"Happy birthday, dear Whirl Wind…Happy birthday to you!" 

After his family was done singing, Whirl Wind blew out all the candles on his cake. His cousins, aunts, and uncles all cheered for him.

Soarin' put his arm on his son and said, "Way to go, champ! And you didn't need to use your wings!"

Whirl Wind smiled, "I'm 12 now, Dad. I can blow enough breath to power a lightbulb."

Screwball joked, "Yeah. I wonder how many more lightbulbs you can turn on with your hot air."

Many ponies laughed while Whirl Wind playfully scowled at Screwball since he knew her joke was good-natured. Shortly afterwards, Whirl Wind started opening cards and gifts. When he opened a particular gift, he was surprised to find it was a book of mane-styling techniques.

He said awkwardly, "Um…Thanks, Aunt Twilight?"

Twilight said, "I don't think that's the book I wanted to give you. Read the card and find out who it's from."

Whirl Wind then opened the card and read aloud, "'Hey, Whirls! Happy birthday! You're the big 12 this year. You're getting to be big and strong like somepony I know. Oh, and say hi to your mom for me, wink, wink. From, Duke Zephyr Breeze'."

Rainbow Dash sighed, "I should've known who it was."

"Mom, who's Duke Zephyr Breeze?"

"He's this duke who used to go to Flight Camp with me. His wings were bigger than yours are now. The other Pegasi were careful not to offend Zephyr in front of him, but they'd usually laugh about him behind his back. I helped him with some flying drills and told him to stand up for himself. Unfortunately, I think he developed a crush on me later in life."

"But why would he send me a present?"

"Well, kiddo, he's the reason you're even here at all."

Cotton said excitedly, "Oh! Oh! You know what this means?"

All of the kids shouted, "Storytime!"

Once the children took their seats, Rainbow began, "All right, fasten your seatbelts, 'cause you'll be in for a ride. It all started when we all got married. I was happy to be with the one colt I loved, but somepony else sure wasn't…"




Zephyr Breeze was just lounging on his throne, sighing from sheer boredom. He said, "Bored, bored, bored! Isn't there anything else to do but signing paperwork and hearing complaints?" He then said sarcastically, "Oh, I can't wait to start my day with that!"

A butler then entered the throne room and said, "Your morning paper, sire."

The duke took it and looked at it. His eyes widened when they caught a certain headline. He exclaimed, "Whoa, baby! The Canterlot princesses got married already?! I'm sure those stallions must be lucky to marry Rainbow's sisters like that-" He then shrieked, "What?! Rainbow Dash got married, too?! And to a Wonderbolt?!"

He threw the paper down and shouted, "How could she do this to me?! I had my eye on her first! She should've married me! I'm a royal, not a lowly commoner like that Wonderbolt!"

The butler said, "You would've had the chance while the proclamation was still in effect."

"What proclamation?"

The butler sighed agitatedly, "Queen Celestia had issued a proclamation for all nobility to woo their princess of choice and marry them."

"Why wasn't I told about this?!"

"I can recall trying to tell you, sire, but you always dismissed me. But now that Queen Celestia has repealed her proclamation, Princess Rainbow Dash has married Soarin' of the Wonderbolts."

Zephyr scoffed, "What does he have to offer her, anyway? I can be more the husband than Soarin' is. A dashing, debonair, and royal husband. He'll know better than to cross paths with me."

The duke then sang, "All hail Prince Soarin', they say in the street…All hail Prince Soarin', they think he's so sweet…Sure, Rainbow Dash herself must think that he's a dream…Why should I rejoice when I could plot an evil scheme? Everypony loves that cursed Wonderbolt…But would they be better off with him out of the way? Well, o-kay…"

He marched out of the throne room and made his way to an underground lab as he sang, "Say goodbye to the Wonderbolt…With some magic, I'll deface him…The greatest gift that I give today…And everypony will have to face it…No more romancing for Lovercolt…After they say goodbye to the Wonderbolt!"

Zeph arrived at the lab as he sang, "Goodbye, Prince Soarin', you had a good run…Goodbye, Prince Soarin', it's over, you're done…I will set Dash free from the forced celebration…No need to give the girl any more frustration…" He looked around as he sang, "Magicians, oh crabapples, where are they?" When his magicians lined up in front of him, he sang, "Is your magic up to the test? Time to see, you can't delay…"

He sang as the sorcerers began concocting a potion, "Say goodbye to the Wonderbolt…Prepare the spell, no hesitation…All memory shall fade away…Hope this hex is to my satisfaction…No more shall anypony say…All hail Prince Soarin'...Heh-heh-heh...after today! After today..."




Rainbow sighed as she and the girls walked back into their old bedroom, "Phew! The Royal Olympics sure were exhausting."

Rarity said as she climbed onto her bed, "Yes. Every effort we put into those games was all for naught."

Twilight pointed out, "But for a good reason. The Gaiti princesses were having a hard time in their marriages. We had to take it easy on them."

Fluttershy agreed, "I think we did the right thing forfeiting to them."

Applejack commented, "Even if certain ponies – or draconequui – don't exactly agree."

All of the sisters laughed at that.

It was close to midnight when it happened. The six princesses were all snug in their beds with their husbands, soundly sleeping. Then, with a creak of balcony doors, a masked pony slipped into a suite and stood over Rainbow Dash's bedside. The mysterious figure sprinkled some magic dust on her to keep her asleep and stuffed her into a bag. In one swift and silent move, the kidnapper spirited away with RD.

As the morning sun gently rose over Canterlot, a great scream filled the castle.

"HEEEELLLPPP!"

The sisters and their husbands burst into the room, asking what was wrong.

Twilight asked in worry, "What is it?!"

Spike asked, "What's wrong?!"

Cheese asked, "Was it a bad dream?!"

Fluttershy asked in concern, "Was it a mouse?!"

Discord asked, "Is Chrysalis on the loose again?" He growled as he put his fists up, "Let me at her…"

Soarin' shouted, "Rainbow Dash is gone!"

All of his in-laws cried, "What?!"

The Pegasus held a note as he said, "I thought she just woke up early, but when I found this, I knew she was kidnapped."

Cheese suggested, "Maybe she's playing a prank on you?"

Rarity took the note and brought it close to Cheese's face. "Look closely, darling. Does it look like Rainbow Dash's writing?"

Soarin' held the note in his hoof and said, "It sure doesn't. And I know for a fact that Dash wouldn't call me 'Pretty Boy Soarin''."

That elicited snickers from some of the husbands.

Fancy Pants asked, "What does the note say?"

Soarin' read aloud, "'If you want to see Dashie again, have Pretty Boy Soarin' come to the mountain near Ponyville and deal with me face-to-face. Pony-y-pony, as they say.'"

Flash remarked, "That does sound serious. Rainbow Dash could be in terrible danger."

The light blue Pegasus said in determination, "And I'm going to rescue her."

Discord said, "And if you go, we go, too."

Twilight held her hoof up and said, "We can't take that chance, Discord. If Flash is right, then Rainbow Dash could be in dire peril. The pony who left the note specifically requested Soarin' and Soarin' alone. This is his mission."

"Oh, fine. But if Soarin' needs help…" He conjured up an earpiece and stuck it in the Pegasus's ear. "…just say the word and we'll come rushing to your aid in a blink of an eye."

Soarin' said as he adjusted the earpiece so it wouldn't be seen, "Thanks, buddy. I appreciate this." He went out to the balcony and turned to his in-laws, saying, "Well...wish me luck."

Fluttershy said, "Please bring back Rainbow Dash for all of us."

Pinkie wailed, "We miss her so much!"

Soarin' said, "Don't worry. I'll bring her home safely. You can count on me." With that, he flew off for the mountain.

As Discord and the rest of them saw Soarin' go, the draconequus remarked, What is he, Zecora now?"




Rainbow Dash was just waking up when she was dumped out of the bag. She groaned drowsily, "Soarin', did you kick me out of bed?"

Her eyes flew open when she heard a familiar voice saying, "Does he do that to you? You poor thing."

RD gasped as she faced a green Pegasus, "Zephyr?!" She looked all around the cave they were in as she sputtered, "Wha-a…? What am I doing here?!"

Zeph flashed a charming smile, "Well, whaddya think? I had my associate rescue you and bring you here."

Rainbow said in disbelief, "Rescue me? From what?"

"A cruel marriage! I bet it was painful to marry some big-shot guy like Snorin'."

She shot back, "His name is Soarin', and he's the best colt I ever married!"

"Oh, why did you marry him instead of me? You know, I could've been twice the husband that he is."

"You wouldn't be even half the husband Soarin' is!"

Zephyr's flashy features hardened into a soft form of anger. "Oh…Playing hard to get, are we? Fine. I guess I'll have to play along. Tie her up!"

Rainbow grunted as two guards tied her up, "Zeph, why are you doing this?! Ungh! Let me go!"

A menacing smile spread across Zephyr's face, "Let's just see how much a knight in shining armor your Snorin' really is."

Just as the guards were tying Rainbow to a stalagmite, a sentry ran to the duke and said, "Sir, the prince approaches!"

The green Pegasus waved his hoof, "Ah, ah, ah. We don't call him a prince. We call him a Wonderbolt."

This angered Rainbow Dash to hear that and she gritted her teeth.

The sentry nodded, "Yes, Your Grace. The Wonderbolt approaches."

Zeph turned to RD and slyly said, "Your Wonder-colt is faster than I thought."

Rainbow growled, "If you do anything to hurt him…"

"Well, I don't see you in a position to do anything."

Just then, Soarin' landed in the cave. He gasped when he saw Rainbow Dash tied to a stalagmite. He shouted, "Dash!"

Zeph said mockingly, "Well, well, well. If it isn't the Wonder-colt himself. I was hoping to meet you, Snorin'."

"What did you do to Rainbow Dash?!"

"She's fine. Just dandy. After all, I think she's better off with me than you."

Rainbow Dash shouted, "That's not true! Zephyr kidnapped me and wants me to dump you!"

Zeph groaned, "Dashie, you ruined the surprise!"

Soarin' bent down and got ready to lunge. He snarled at Zeph, "I won't let you get away with this."

"Oh? Be my guest, sir."

Two guards then closed the cave opening behind Soarin'.

Zephyr then sang as he stepped towards Soarin', "Monsieur, I bid you welcome. Did you think that I would harm her? Why would I make her pay…for the sins which are yours?"

He pointed to Soarin' as he sang the last verse, signaling to his magicians to cast their spell on the prince. A green aura lifted Soarin' into the air and he groaned and writhed in pain.

Rainbow Dash cried out in horror, "No!"

Still in the heat of the moment, Zeph sang to Soarin' with much anger, "Order your royal guards now! Raise up your hoof to the level of your eyes! Nothing can save you now, except, perhaps, Rainbow..." He sang to Rainbow Dash, "Start a new life with me. Buy his freedom with your love! Refuse me, and you send your lover to his doom! This is the choice…This is the point of no return!"

Rainbow sang, "The tears I might have shed for your dark fate…grow cold and turn to tears of hate!"

One guard whispered to another, "Must be serious if they're bursting in song like that."

Soarin' sang while writhing in pain, "Rainbow, forgive me, please forgive me...I did it all for you…and all for nothing..."

As Soarin' sang his second verse, Rainbow sang, "Zephyr Breeze, you've just become a false friend…I had such hopes, and now those hopes are shattered!"

Zephyr sang while Rainbow was singing her second verse, "Too late for turning back...Too late for prayers and useless pity..."

Soarin' sang, "Say you love him…"

Zephyr sang, "Past all hope of cries for help…"

"And my life is over..."

"No point in fighting…"

Zephyr and Soarin respectively sang, "For either way you choose, you cannot win/ he has to win!"

Zeph sang, "So do you end your days with me, or do you send him to his grave?"

Soarin' grunted as he sang, "Why make her lie to you to save me?"

"Past the point of no return…"

Rainbow sang while Zephyr sang his verse, "Zephyr, don't do this!"

Soarin' sang, "For pity's sake, Rainbow, say no!"

"Who deserves this?"

Zephyr sang, "The final threshold..."

Soarin' sang, "Don't throw your life away for my sake!"

Rainbow sang, "Why do you curse mercy?"

Zephyr overlapped while Rainbow was singing, "His life is now the prize
which you must earn!"

Soarin' sang in near-defeat, "I fought so hard to free you..."

Zephyr sang to Rainbow, "You've passed…"

Rainbow sang, "This…"

"…the point…"

"…is not the…"

"…of no…"

"…way…"

"…return…"

"Why, Zephyr, why?"

Zeph asked, "Well, who's it going to be? Me or him?"

Rainbow felt torn in that moment. She wanted Soarin' to live, but at the same time, she would be betraying her marriage. Her heart was loyal to Soarin', but how could she prove that loyalty if he was going to die for it? Pain overwhelmed her as she considered both options.

Soarin' shouted, "Dash! Don't go with him just to save me!"

Zeph scowled, "Would you rather see him live or not?"

Rainbow replied in a voice thick with emotion, "How could you be like this? You're not the same colt I helped at Flight Camp all those years ago. You've become…a monster."

Zeph's heart dropped when he saw a tear slide down RD's face. He realized she was right. How could he have stooped so low as to threaten the life of the one the princess loved? He had only wanted her for himself, but now he saw that he wanted her happiness more. He didn't want to make her miserable for the rest of her life.

He ordered his magicians in a voice derived of any pomp and confidence, "Let Soarin' go." When the magicians released the light blue Pegasus, Zeph told his guards, "Cut her loose."

As soon as she was freed from her ropes, RD rushed to Soarin' and hugged him tightly. Zephyr saw how happy they were together, even if he wasn't too thrilled with it.

He asked sheepishly, "So, um…Will I be off the hook this time?"

RD smirked at Zeph, "Nice try."

"Eh, well, it was worth a shot."

When the three of them arrived at Canterlot, they all explained what happened and how Zephyr knew the royal family, in reverse order. Once Zephyr pleaded guilty for threatening the life of Prince Soarin', Queen Celestia and King Sombra sentenced him to going without contact – physical and correspondence – with the family for five years. Zephyr mostly took his punishment gracefully. The spell the duke's magicians used on Soarin' took a lot out of the prince. He was so weak that he needed help flying to Canterlot. Once the doctor declared that he was well, Soarin' was put on bed rest.

In their suite, Rainbow Dash was right by his bedside. She sighed, "I was so lucky I didn't lose you today."

Soarin' smiled, "Well, at least we know now that Zeph's really a good guy."

"Yeah, but did he have to go threaten your life like that just so he could have me?"

"He really wanted you that badly. Growing up the way he did, I wouldn't blame him for acting that way."

Rainbow gave a small chuckle, "You always did try to see the good in others, Soarin'. When we have a kid, he or she will be lucky to have a father like you."

He sputtered in surprise, "What?! You want to try right now?!"

"No, you dummy! When the Everfree Castle's renovated, then we could try for a kid."

He sighed in relief, "Oh, thank goodness! I wasn't quite ready to be a father yet."

"Hey, I'm not ready to be a mom yet, either. But I want to have at least one kid with the stallion I love before I lose him forever. What happened today made me realize I couldn't live without you. I'm just too loyal to you to be with somepony else."

"That's my Dashie, always loyal to the end."

They both kissed passionately.




Whirl gawked at everything his parents told him. He breathed, "Whoa…I was this close to not existing."

Screwball nodded, "No duh."

Cotton remarked, "You got really lucky."

Whirl said, "Hey, if anypony's lucky, it's my dad."

Rainbow said, "Well, let's just say that both you and your dad were lucky. Your dad's lucky because Zephyr let him live. You're lucky because we didn't want children before Zeph kidnapped me."

This made Whirl even more shocked. Cotton said, "Whoa…You got double lucky!"

Whirl uttered, "No duh."