Guardian Angel

by Absentialucci

Chapter 12

As soon as Rainbow Dash was out the door, she took off flying as fast as she could. She didn’t really need to pack anything, but she needed to clear out a space for Trixie to live in at her home. She had done some work the day before but… She sighed as she flew on approach to her home, Rainbow suddenly was struck by a thought.

“How… the heck is she supposed to even stay up here? Why didn’t I think of that before?!”

Rainbow groaned.

I have a few bits left… but not nearly enough to buy even a small house… Ugh… wait a minute though… Didn’t everyone use some kind of cloudwalking spell?

Rainbow’s mind dashed.

If there’s a spell for cloudwalking, and if Trixie’s cloak is made of this magical arcane weave stuff… she said it could store spells, right? Maybe it could cast a permanent version of the cloudwalking spell? At least until I get a place for her on the surface. I’ll get to that later, for now though, I just need to get a space cleared out for Trix.

And Rainbow got to work. She took a room that she’d previously cleared of clutter the night before as a base, and started arranging it to make it feel more homey. Clouds were gathered up, and shaped into another bed, she created shelves, dressers, formed a window that had a sealable cloud in case of storms, and an easy chair for relaxation purposes. Having made several expansions to her home over the years, Rainbow couldn’t help but pat herself on the back for how… just good things looked.

Heh. Trixie’s gonna love it. And, in spite of that, I still have…

She flew out the door frame to look at her cloud clock in the living area.

“Two minutes?! Huh? Where did… never mind that, I gotta go!”

There was no way she was letting Trixie down by being late, if even only by ten seconds flat. Not on her watch!

She focused, and the innate weather magic within her coalesced in the form of a gust of wind that propelled her forwards. She forced her emotions aside, and instead worked to satisfy her needs, and those of the wind. The wind wouldn’t just bow to her will, she would work with the wind, not against it. The wind wanted to go where she wanted it to. A storm that the pegasi had prepared for the day meant a front would naturally form; that front would just happen to be moving in the same direction as Rainbow. And with that, she was speeding through the sky, a streak of rainbow color behind her.

***

Trixie was shuffling on her hooves, uncomfortable.

Dashie and I are going to be spending a lot of time together… alone…

Absent-mindedly, she started plucking at the grass and stones on the outer borders of the town of Ponyville. They started swirling above her, just dancing in the breeze.

I certainly didn’t think this through… I… I already know how I feel about her… but what if I say something stupid? What if something I say comes out wrong, and she flies away, disgusted?

The objects started swirling around more rapidly, looping and spinning in a dizzying array of random junk. A couple of sticks were added to the tiny whirlwind, as were a few flowers and some more rocks.

What if she doesn't come back after that? What if she leaves me? What if she doesn’t want to be my friend anymore? I… I don’t want her to leave…

The whirlwind was becoming an actual hazard, and Trixie didn’t want to tear up the road right outside of a town she had previously terrorized. She took some deep breaths, forcibly calming herself, as she would in front of a crowd.

Dashie is a very dear friend of mine. And she’s the embodiment of the element of loyalty. There’s no way she’d not want to be my friend anymore.

The whirlwind started slowing down.

She wouldn’t leave me unless she was teasing me, or I betrayed her trust. I know I wouldn’t betray her like that, I can’t even imagine it…

The rocks within the swirl were lowered to the ground, followed by the sticks. All that remained from the previous maelstrom were a few blades of grass, and some flowers, floating lazily in a circular fashion above her.

And who cares if something comes out wrong, or I say something stupid. Like it or not, that’s how relationships work. Being genuine. Pretending to be somepony else would be just as much of a betrayal, as it would be if I were to walk out on her.

Finally, the blades of grass were discarded. And, after examining the flowers she picked, hoping desperately for a red chrysanthemum and not finding one, she sighed, and tossed them aside too.

Maybe there’s one in the royal garden…

Trixie felt a lot more relaxed now. Yes, she was travelling with Dashie, but that wasn’t any different than if she were just spending time with her. Trixie inhaled deeply, then exhaled.

I’m calming down a lot faster, and haven’t burst into tears this time… maybe it’s the cape?
Trixie would be lying if she said she didn’t feel safer in her cape and hat. They weren’t just part of her show, but they were parts of her. Her identity. A magician’s hat and cape were close friends to the magician. They protected the wearer from the piercing gazes of the audience, and allowed them to put on a show, no matter the audience.

The only other time I’ve felt this safe was when Rainbow’s around…

Trixie smiled. Rainbow Dash had come to mean so much to her in her life.

All I’m missing is that damn chrysanthemum…

Almost as if she was summoned, Trixie heard a very distinctive voice.

“Whoah, whoah, whoah, too fast! Too fast!”

Trixie rolled her eyes, exasperated, before turning around. She then yelped, and ducked beneath the out of control pegasus that came barreling over her head. Once Rainbow had cleared over Trixie, she hit the ground with a crash. Trixie immediately spun around and charged to where Rainbow’s skid had come to a stop.

Rainbow groaned as Trixie approached.

“Dashie… are you--”

“Hey there, Trix.”

Rainbow called out smoothly.

“Nailed the landing.”

“Damn it, Dashie! You scared me half to death!”

Rainbow winced at Trixie’s tone.

“M’sorry…”

She mumbled.

Trixie lifted Dashie off the ground before enveloping the rainbow-maned pegasus in a fierce hug. Rainbow sighed happily as she leaned into the hug. Trixie paid it no heed.

“No way was I gonna be late for one of the most important ponies in my life.”

Trixie just tightened the hug, a storm of emotions within her. Eventually she released Rainbow Dash, and wiping her eyes, she looked at Dashie, relishing the way her heart swelled with happiness at having Rainbow Dash at her side.

“You ready to go?”

She asked, all Rainbow gave her in response was a wide grin.

“Okay… let’s go.”

***

“You never did finish that Nightmare Night story, Dashie.”

Trixie had to crane her neck to look at the pegasus, who seemed content to hover above her at all times.

“Huh?”

Came the refused response.

“You know, the one you were telling me while I was still behind bars.”

“Oh yeah! That was a pretty awesome night!”

Trixie waited expectantly for a few seconds.

“Oh! You wanna hear the rest of it, huh?”

Trixie rolled her eyes.

“That would be nice, yeah. Honestly, Dashie. For someone as sharp as yourself, you really miss the obvious sometimes.”

“Hey! That’s not… it’s not…”

Rainbow sighed.

“Damn it.”

Trixie grinned.

“Gotcha!”

“Yeah, yeah. You wanna hear the story or not?”

Trixie quieted down, and Rainbow glided down to walk beside her.

“That’s what I thought. Now.”

Rainbow cleared her throat dramatically.

“Where were we at?”

“Something about Scootaloo slipping into the Everfree Forest?”

“Well, I knew that. But there was supposed to be tension! Humph!”

Trixie couldn't help but smirk at Dashie, who pointedly ignored her. Flicking her tail, Rainbow continued.

“So I had just seen Scoots slip into the Everfree Forest. This wasn’t too unusual, and usually she has her two friends with her, so I wasn’t too worried, but… I have to watch out for the kids, y’know?”

“Awwwwwww…”

Trixie cooed.

“Shut it. ANYWAYS!”

Rainbow Dash continued.

“I stayed well out of sight, and sure enough, she met up with her two friends. I don’t think I really needed to even try and stay hidden at this point, because once those three are together, they don’t notice nearly anything. Luckily, I didn’t have to swoop down and save them from timberwolves or something.”

Trixie scuffed at the ground, embarrassed. But looked up when Rainbow Dash decided to randomly boop her on the nose.

“I’d do it all again, you know that?”

Rainbow said, sotto voce. Trixie blushed lightly, and nodded silently.

“The three of them were heading to the Castle of the Two Sisters, and imagine my surprise when I saw Princess Luna there, and then they started describing their prank and… I had to be in it.”

Trixie found herself entirely absorbed into Rainbow Dash’s vivid storytelling.

***

“Princess Luna? What’re you doing here?”

The lunar princess looked up at Rainbow Dash, and smiled.

“Ah, Rainbow Dash. Element of loyalty, thou art, yes?”

“Yeah, that’s me.”

Scootaloo suddenly spun around, eyes wide and jaw agape.

“R-Rainbow Dash!”

Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but relish the worshipful look the little orange pegasus gave her. But she knew she needed to set an example. That’s why when Scootaloo asked what she knew the little pegasus would ask next, she hardened her features.

“Wh-what’re you doing here?”

Rainbow Dash internally swallowed. Knowing she’d hate doing this.

“I was following you three around. Making sure you didn’t get hurt. What the he--”

Rainbow Dash caught herself, and coughed.

“Heck, are you doing out here?”

She asked the question to Scootaloo, but directed her gaze to Luna. And, while the young pegasus stammered out an apology, Luna just raised her eyebrow.

“Am I not welcome here?”

“N-no! That’s not…”

Rainbow Dash smacked her head.

“I’m just curious is all, alright?”

Rainbow looked up, and upon seeing Princess Luna’s smirking face, narrowed her eyes and stuck her tongue out.

“So what are you four really doing out here?”

Scootaloo seemed to noticeably brighten from her previous bashful expression. She looked over to her two friends with a grin, and Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but feel happy for the young pegasus, having found such a good group of friends. She had little doubt that the three would go through hell and back for each other. Reminded herself of her own friend group, honestly. They had their arguments, but in the end, they all had each other’s backs.

“Well girls, should we tell her?”

Scootaloo asked, eagerly.

“Ah don’t see why not. Not that we’d be able to stop you, anyways.”

Applebloom said, rolling her eyes, Sweetie Belle then piped up.

“We’re doing a Nightmare Night prank!”

“Sweetie Belle! I was supposed to reveal that to her!”
Sweetie’s face fell.

“O-oh… sorry.”

Scootaloo sighed.

“No… no, it’s okay.”

Scootaloo patted Sweetie’s shoulder.

“No harm done, okay Sweetie?”

Applebloom had a smirk on her face. Scootaloo either didn’t see it, or ignored it, and spun around to look at Rainbow, who raised her eyebrow.

“But yes, we’re all doing a Nightmare Night prank.”

She inhaled, and Rainbow braced herself for what was most definitely coming next.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS NIGHTMARE NIGHT PRANKSTERS!”

Three young voices chorused together. Rainbow winced internally, not letting it show.

“Alright, I want in.”

Three wide, young eyes, and one knowing smirk reached her.

“What? I am the number one Nightmare Night prankster in Ponyville, I want in.”

Rainbow Dash was met with the excited grin of a young Scootaloo.

“Really? You’re not mad?”

Rainbow Dash chuckles.

“Heh heh. Not at you, no.”

She shot a glare at Princess Luna, who just pressed her hoof to her chest in a ‘moi?’ gesture.

“But we can deal with that later. Let's hear this plan of yours.”

Rainbow Dash smiled as the little pegasus jumped, pumping her hoof into the air, wings fluttering to give her extra lift.

“YES! Alright, it goes like this…”

***

“Awwwwwwww…”

Trixie couldn’t help herself.

“What?”

Rainbow snapped, frustrated at being interrupted.

“You’re such a good big sister.”

“W-well… yeah. Scoots is… she means a lot to me.”

Trixie nodded

“I can tell. Now, get back to telling the story!”

“Well, if somepony wouldn’t keep interrupting me.”

Trixie withered a bit under her annoyed glare.

“S-sorry…”

Rainbow Dash sniffed, but nevertheless continued.

“So it took a bit to prepare, but we were finally ready. We had to tell some of the element bearers, but not all of them to make it convincing. Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Applejack were all in on it…”

***

Rainbow Dash was walking with her friends, chatting animatedly, just honestly enjoying the night and Pinkie Pie’s antics. Rainbow Dash had a simple costume this year, she was dressed like a member of the Royal Guard. Applejack had elected to not wear a costume this year, same with Fluttershy. Twilight was dressed like a mad scientist, and Rarity was dressed in a complex, elegant gown that looked suspiciously like a wedding dress. Pinkie Pie had the most unusual costume on, by far. From what Rainbow Dash could tell, it was some form of armor, but not an outfit she had ever seen before, and the outfit itself didn’t even seem to want to be consistent. There were two very different, odd symbols. One on either side, and the words ADVENT and XCOM accompanied the symbols. Rainbow Dash just set it aside as Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie.

Rainbow Dash subtly led the group to the designated position, and kept them there, talking away. And suddenly, right on time, mist started coating the area. The chatting died away, replaced by curious noises.

Perfect.

Lightning struck around the area, and several frightened ponies pressed together. Her friends looked around nervously. Rainbow Dash chuckled internally.

The fog thickened, until it was nearly impossible to see, and a menacing chuckle permeated the entirety of the area. Rainbow Dash made herself fade into the fog, a smirk unseen by her friends. She made her way to her position, and waited.

The menacing chuckle got louder and louder, until with a snap of lightning and a burst of thunder, Nightmare Moon in all her terrible glory appeared. Rainbow could hear her friends speaking, Twilight was first.

“L-Luna?”

Nightmare moon chuckled darkly.

“That pony no longer exists! She was a weakness, one that I burned out in its entirety! You precious princess Luna is gone!”

“Th-that’s not true! It-it can’t be true!”

“Can it though, my subjects?”

“You aren’t our princess!”

Rainbow Dash admired Applejack’s determined voice. Rarity soon followed.

“We’ve beaten you once! We can do it again!”

Nightmare Moon chuckled darkly, and Rainbow Dash felt magic coursing through her. She took a deep breath, before taking off.

Well… here goes nothing.

“Can you? I dare you to try!”

Twilight spoke up, voice strong, despite her obvious fear and dread.

“We still have the elements! They’ll--”

“Be useless, when I have corrupted one of you already.”

Nightmare Moon interrupted. Rainbow Dash burst through the fog, presenting herself. Her faux Royal Guard armor replaced by the dark armor of the Night Guard. She grinned menacingly, teeth having the illusion of being sharpened.

“R-Rainbow Dash?”

Twilight stammered fearfully.

“Your beloved ‘Rainbow Dash’ no longer exists. All that is left is Nightmare Dash!”

Nightmare Moon declared boldly. Nightmare Dash stayed silent.

“W-we’ll just have to defeat you the old-fashioned way then!”

Nightmare Dash marvelled at how quickly Applejack recovered.

“Is that so? Even with your precious sisters protecting me? They’ll gladly put themselves in harm's way for my glory!”

Applejack’s eyes widened, and just at that moment, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle emerged from the fog, dressed similarly, helmets completely obscuring their facial features, armor similar to that of Nightmare Moon and Dash’s. They marched as one, and planted themselves between the Bearers of Harmony, as Nightmare Moon settled behind them. Nightmare Dash silently hovered above the two of them.

“A-Applebloom?”

Applejack nearly whispered.

“Rainbow Dash!”

Nightmare Dash snapped her head in the direction of the voice, and Scootaloo came careening out of the fog, halting in front of the element bearers.

“Rainbow Dash! This… this isn’t you! I know you’re in there somewhere! Please… please come back!”

Nightmare Dash tilted her head in apparent confusion. Scootaloo took that as a cue to advance.

“Oh, please. This should be good.”

Nightmare Moon laughed.

“Come on, Rainbow Dash! You’re my sister. This isn’t you! You… you wouldn’t leave Ponyville hanging. You wouldn’t leave me hanging.”

Rainbow Dash was impressed by the young pegasus’s skill at acting. She genuinely sounded hurt, and scared. But Nightmare Dash didn’t care. Nightmare Dash slowly approached the young pegasus.

“Yeah… Come back!”

Scootaloo was joined by the voices of the other element bearers, and some of the townsfolk. Nightmare Dash paid them no head, and instead snatched up Scootaloo, and quickly brought her to Nightmare Moon.

“That’s a good Nightmare. Bring the young one here.”

Scootaloo struggled valiantly, but ultimately in vain, as Nightmare Moon touched her horn to the little pegasus’s head, and a set of armor covered her. She slowly floated to the ground, and marched to take up position beside the other corrupted crusaders.

Gasps sounded from everyone. Rarity fell to her knees.

“You… you fiend! You’re going to pay for that! Using our… our loved ones against us! What are your terms?”

Nightmare Moon placed her hoof to her chin, seeming to think about it.

“I demand! That you give us a candy tribute one day out of every year! And dedicate one day a year to the night!”

“NEVER! WE’LL NEVER SWEAR FEALTY TO-- Hold up, what?”

Twilight started. Then cut herself off. Nightmare Moon nodded solemnly.

“Yes, you must do these, and I’ll leave you in peace.”

“B-but that’s… that’s… we’re already doing that!”

Nightmare Moon’s eyes widened in seeming surprise.

“Oh. I see… well in that case, my work here is done. Farewell, until I come again next year!”

Nightmare Moon cackled maniacally, before suddenly her armor disappeared, and standing before a very confused populace was Princess Luna, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Rainbow Dash, who proceeded to start rolling on the ground, laughing until tears were in their eyes.

“HAPPY NIGHTMARE NIGHT EVERYPONY!”

***

Trixie was laughing herself, as Rainbow Dash’s tale came to a close.

“Oh… oh that’s just perfect! I wish I’d have been there to see the look on Twilight’s face!”

Rainbow Dash chuckled.

“Heh heh… yeah, everypony remembered that prank. They still talk about it, actually.”

“You wouldn’t make a half bad performer yourself, Dashie!”

“Whaddaya mean?”

“I was enraptured! Your have a natural talent for storytelling!”

Rainbow reddened a little.

“W-well… I mean… Uh…”

Trixie snickered.

“Awe, is the great ‘Rainbow Danger Dash’ getting all flustered? By moi?”

“No’m not…”

Rainbow said, scuffing at the ground. Trixie couldn’t help it, she surprised the poor pegasus with another hug.

“I like it when you tell me stories.”

Trixie quietly said.

“But, we’re not under any time constraints. Let’s rest for a bit.”

“Y-yeah. Sure.”

The two of them found a shady spot to rest under, and sat down to rest in companionable silence.

“So… Trix… I actually don’t know much about your past. Do you have any stories?”

Trixie froze. Had she really not told Rainbow anything about herself?

Oh… oh dear… where should I even start?

Author's Note:

Hey everyone! Sorry about the time gap between chapters, life's been pretty busy as of late. I can't guarantee that the next chapter will come out quickly or not, I'm taking an assessment for a management position in my current job, and might be slated for a promotion soon. I do want to eventually get to posting one chapter every two weeks minimum but I'm not sure when that'll happen yet. Thanks for sticking with me!

Comments

[Pete100]

Ok that was actually a good prank.