Short Hand

by Andrew Joshua Talon

Grand Galloping Gala 6

- - -

Okay, so maybe I needed to be less subtle about my intentions with the gala. All right then. Celestia probably had like, what, fifty different schemes going on at any one time? Some centuries old? Maybe she was a little overwhelmed. Or my clumsy attempts at being subtle were flying over her head, since she might think that only an idiot would be that bad at being subtle.

I held my glass up to my lips, and leaned against the armored vehicle with as casual an expression as I could put on my face.

"So," I began, "was there anything in particular you wanted to discuss? Something... Of import?"

Celestia smiled, tilting her head cutely.

"Mm? You seem to be fishing for something," Celestia said, "is there anything on your mind in particular?"

This was getting us nowhere. I held back a sigh, and sipped my punch.

"You chose me as your escort for a reason beyond fun, right?" I murmured softly, but she could definitely hear me. "You didn't just do it to troll everypony?"

"It was a thought," Celestia admitted, as the sounds of the party continued around us, "but I also wanted someone I could trust. And someone who wouldn't use the opportunity for political advantage." Her smile grew. "And I like you very much, too."

I couldn't help but blush slightly at her frank expression. I smiled back.

"I... Like you too," I said. I looked to the side.

Out of all the beings I've met on this world, Princess Celestia is... Well, she's really special. Not just because of her strength and power, but her kindness. She was genuine, wise, and very understanding. She played political games, naturally, but always for the right reasons and the right goals. And she was never afraid to show vulnerability when it was needed.

I still remember the days I was brought to Canterlot. After recovering from my ordeal, I was taken to the palace. I met... Her. She was so warm and gentle, and when she promised to do everything in her power to find me a way home, I believed her.

Though when she said she literally moved the sun, I was pretty skeptical.

Celestia actually enjoyed demonstrating it. Kind of like an eager child, happy to show her skill off. Not to brag, but to share the wonder. And seeing the incredible power of her sun, protected by her magic... It's not something I can put into worlds. It was transcendent, beyond anything I can describe. Like touching the sun and seeing the heavenly furnace burn.

I also remembered the day that she came to my quarters. Celestia was sad, and solemn. I remembered swallowing back tears, as she said that despite all their best efforts... They couldn't find a way to send me home.

She... She apologized to me. I didn't know what else to do but cry. And she just held me, as I cried harder than I ever had before. She just held me, staying with me. She was a goddamned princess who had to run a nation, and yet... She stayed with me.

Comforted me, because I needed it.

A frail, stupid, lonely human.

I'll never forget that act of kindness. It was something I still held onto, and something I would always cherish.

I shook my head, bringing myself back to the present. I gave her a warm smile.

"Which is why I want to do everything I can to help you," I said.

Celestia's cheeks dimpled, and despite her age, her eyes shone like a happy young girl's. Before she could reply though, Shining Armor trotted up. He gave the Princess a concerned look.

"Your Majesty, we have a situation," Shining reported. Celestia sighed softly, and nodded.

"Just a moment, Shepherd," Celestia said. I nodded. and leaned back against the armored vehicle. I finished my punch off, as Shining looked back over his shoulder at me.

For a moment, I could have sworn I saw a flash of green in his eyes, and on his horn. What was that about?

I stretched my arms up over my head, about to yawn... When the armored vehicle began to rumble behind me. I yelped, and stumbled forward. I looked up and back, my eyes widening.

"What the...?!"

The turret turned, and the gun pointed right up at Celestia. My jaw dropped as I heard something spin up in the turret.

I didn't know if Celestia could tank a shot from an autocannon, but I wasn't inclined to find out. I just ran, and screamed.

"FIRE! LOOK OUT!"

I slammed into Celestia from behind, trying to get her out of the way. She was surprised... But only for an instant.

RATATATATATATATATA-!

The cannon opened up, and ponies screamed and ran... But pink and golden magic shields erupted from Celestia and Shining's horns, protecting them all. Me especially, as I clung to the princess tightly. Ponies fled, but not in a panic: But they were ushered out the windows and doors of the ballroom.

I allowed myself a small smile.

Just like we planned...

I turned to face the armored vehicle, as its engine began to rumble and come alive. Twilight teleported in right next to me, as Dash zipped up. Applejack ran up, as did Rarity. Pinkie Pie bounced in, and Fluttershy burst in from the gardens nearby, looking disheveled.

"I guess we know what's up now," Dash quipped.

"Right, how do we take this thing down?" Twilight asked.

"Lightning, and lots of it, if we can get it ungrounded!" I shouted.

The armored fighting vehicle then... Seemed to split. Its treads twisted, and expanded, until the vehicle had four legs it stood upon like a spider. It waved several metallic tentacles, formed from pipes and wires.

"Woah! How did it do that?!" Applejack shouted.

"IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO!" I shouted back, as it opened fire!

Author's Note:

Yes, I know, been a while. Blame my muse.

Comments

[Even Evil Has Standards]

Well that escalated quickly.

[FTR2017]

Whenever writer's block ruins your storyline, there is always a solution ... .

Create problem, then add tentacles and a vicious temper to the problem!

[EvilTreerat]

... okay..

Well things have just officially gone south followed by a hard left then a banking power dive through the Canterlot sewer treatment plant before finally crashing into the largest maker of fans in the multiverse.

This should be entertaining.
Bwahahah!!!

[KarasAdamas]

Robot's in disguise!

[ShadowLDrago]

The armored fighting vehicle then... Seemed to split. Its treads twisted, and expanded, until the vehicle had four legs it stood upon like a spider. It waved several metallic tentacles, formed from pipes and wires.

That, isn't normal.

[Totally Not A Pony]

Green flash, hm? That’s not Shining’s usual color, but it is rather suggestive of a certain changeling queen...

[Black--Soul]

Holy Shiiittt... A Transformer? ... ... ...
Autobot? Decepticon? Perhaps a DND mimic on steroids?

[Black--Soul]

11138754
And solve it with moaning and a lot of squelching?

[Dan]

Hammer it with lightning spells (don't summon Quetzalcoatl because it takes too long) and you can bring it down and get the best SeeD rank.

[FanOfMostEverything]

Looks like the changeling-Decepticon alliance happened much earlier than expected in this timeline. (Those are fun comics.)

[Herald of Opera]

11138754
I believe the traditional phrasing is "When in doubt, have a man come through a door with a gun in his hand"

[Totally Not A Pony]

11139138
Good old Raymond Chandler.

[K9Thefirst1]

IT'S A DECEPTICON! Andrew you madman!

[Black--Soul]

Mind control, Changeling or Illusion over a unicorn assasin are the most likely cause.

[Black--Soul]

Celestia actually enjoyed demonstrating it. Kind of like an eager child, happy to show her skill off. Not to brag, but to share the wonder. And seeing the incredible power of her sun, protected by her magic... It's not something I can put into worlds. It was transcendent, beyond anything I can describe. Like touching the sun and seeing the heavenly furnace burn.

words

[Black--Soul]

The armored fighting vehicle then... Seemed to split. Its treads twisted, and expanded, until the vehicle had four legs it stood upon like a spider. It waved several metallic tentacles, formed from pipes and wires.

Deception assemble!

[Black--Soul]

To be solved ... never!