Tealove never would have imagined her life twisting from her little Tea Room in Ponyville to the Forbidden Seas,gun chases through Manehatten and the HQ of Equestria's Rebel Society, all while trying to fulfill her destiny as Celestia's Covert Agent.
It all started with a glance at her dream stallion-a clueless Big Mac. At first it was just glimpses. Blurs of what felt like memories that didn't belong to her. Then they became more frequent, longer, and when she began seeing the evil Queen Chrysalis, things started to take a twist for the worse. Now Tealove has been made a member of Equestria's secret society, Celestia's Clandestine, full of ordinary ponies like her who had turned out to be Children of the Sky, ponies destined to save Equestria with their powers that excelled that of an alicorn's. Then Tealove's life turns upside down in a mix of uncovering secrets from her past, stopping the rebel society, the Brokes, from overthrowing Celestia, breaking into the Embassy, finding true friends and possible love all while struggling to fulfill her high expectations as the Clandestine's newest Covert Agent.
“Alright, everypony! Time to jump onto the dance floor and rock out to the newest dance craze in Ponyville, the Navigator!” the DJ boomed as ponies all across the corral rushed to the dance floor in a stampede of cheers. Then the music began, blaring across Ponyville and even though everypony was pooped out from all the carnival fun and games that had lasted from sun up to sun down, they still found energy enough to dance the night away.
Even the ponies who’d originally wanted to avoid the Hoedown had somehow found themselves on the dance floor, shimmying to the Navigator-the dance routine that had surprisingly caught on only a few hours ago following the Summer Wrap-Up Festival’s float parade.
Everypony was dancing, roaring with delight, everypony except Tealove.
It’s not that Tealove didn’t like dancing, it’s not that she didn’t want to, no. She wanted to, but she just didn’t have any friends. She didn’t talk much either. Nopony talked to her, why should she talk to them? Okay, some ponies did, but it was never a real conversation, just the usual compliments on Tealove’s gorgeous curly blue mane and sleek green coat. And that was it.
Did they see something in her that kept them from carrying on the conversation? Was it because Tealove wasn’t so good at carrying on conversations herself? Or was it possible that everypony else already had their friends and there was just no room for Tealove? Any way, this mare stood to the side, watching ponies of all ages, shape and size dance without the worries of making a fool of themselves. They didn’t care if they messed up the steps, didn’t mind toppling onto the pony next to them because they’d accidentally missed a beat-nopony cared. They just got back up and laughed it off, and how Tealove wished she could do that, could be out there with the others.
“Okay, everypony!” the DJ exclaimed as the song came to a close, morphing into one that made Tealove’s heart stop, “It’s time to slow it down, so stallions! Grab your mares and come on down to the floor!”
A slow song. (Danger, danger!)
Tealove quickly began making her way as far from the dance arena as she could, pushing through the crowd as dashing stallions generously asked waiting mares to dance.
It’s not that Tealove didn’t like slow songs, no, but nopony had ever asked her to one and she very much didn’t want to be that awkward lonely pony who stand on the sidelines and watches all the dancing couples make out. (Yes, that's happened. A lot.)
The truth was, Tealove adored slow songs. She loved their flowing notes, their beautiful cords, their sweet words as delicate as china tea cups, but it was after her father died two years ago that she had stopped listening to them. They reminded her too much of a father-daughter dance she had attended with him where they had spent hundreds on their outfits, hours at a spa, danced until three in the morning and ate all the sweets they could get their hooves on, all of which infuriated her step-mother. (Mom had passed on my tenth birthday.)
But now he was gone. Her only dance partner, her only comfort, her only friend. Gone. And that left her to work alone in her family’s Tea Room, blasting anything but slow songs when there were no customers in the shop.
In the midst of her thoughts, Tealove didn’t notice she was headed straight for danger, straight into a collision, straight-
CRASH. Then she noticed. She’d ran right into a stallion.
“Sorry!” Tealove squeaked, her cheeks turning a darker green, but then she realized that stallion was busy. Making out with a mare.
(Abort, abort!!)
Tealove quickly ducked her head down and ran as fast as she could without crashing into somepony else as the stallion behind her yelled, “Hey!” after un-suctioning himself from his partner.
Tealove shoved headfirst towards her safety zone-the dessert table-, crystal blue eyes glued to her trotting hooves as the music floated over the swaying crowd, twisting every heart into a glop of romance. (Gross.) Just as she was nearing the area that was clear of dancing ponies, she smashed into another somepony. So hard it made her ears ring, so hard her skull shook and she staggered back moment before realizing who she’d crashed in to. (Please don’t let it be another mush scene!) A red stallion (thankfully alone), broad, buff, strong and displaying a large green apple cutie mark along with a symbol of his hard work, a yoke, around his neck.
“Sorry,” he said distractedly, his voice so deep it sent a small chill up Tealove’s spine.
His freckles were so cute, his green eyes like emeralds against the dark starry sky, his short blonde mane sweeping effortlessly to the side as he shook his head to clear it. Then the whole world seemed to wash away all at once and Tealove was swept through a whirlwind of blurs, the very earth beneath her seeming to leave, then she saw it.
Before her were scenes of explosions, chases through big cities, sea demons and pearl necklaces, each zooming by so Tealove could only get a glimpse of each, but through every scene, one thing stayed the same. A large hoof of comfort was wrapped around her. The stallion’s hoof. Could it be? Was he the one who could be-?
CRASH. Then a hard blow to the head sent Tealove spinning back into the present time. She staggered back not only from the sudden change in scenery but also from her throbbing head. She looked around, confused, then saw the red stallion walking further into the crowd. (Wait!) But then she was once again hit, this time punched in the flank, and she whipped around to find none other than Fleetfoot the Wonderbolt. (Funny seeing you around.)
“He’s MINE!!” the blue pegasus roared and before Tealove could think, she was tackled to the floor and rained on by the furious blows from Fleetfoot.
“OW!” Tealove yelped, “What are you-?!!” but then she spotted her answer. Before Fleetfoot had begun the fight, she had dropped a giant stuffed Pinkie Pie toy, (quite ugly, if I do say so myself) and a tiny figure and picture of the red and blonde stallion she had just crashed into. (No. He already had a special somepony!)
“YOU-little-you DARE-?!!!” Fleetfoot screamed as she continued to thrash at her victim, and Tealove knew she’d end up as mince meat if she didn’t fight back so….
Just as Fleetfoot was about to take another punch to Tealove’s face, Tealove hit her with one bone braking buck in the stomach.
“GAH!” Fleetfoot cried as she fell back, and Tealove took this as her opportunity to run for it.
“Come back here!!!” she heard the Wonderbolt bellow, but Tealove didn’t turn back, she kept galloping until she’d broken free from the Hoedown corral and had reached the streets lined with booths, rides, and games, all closed taken in account of the Hoedown.
Tealove panted as she slowed to a nervous trot (what the hay was that mare thinking?) and only stopped at the saddle bag drop off stand to take her things she’d left before the Hoedown. (Well, I’m not going back there I guess it’s time to call it a night.)
Tealove thanked the old stallion who’d given her her bag even though it was impossible to hear her voice over the booming music coming from the corral, then she began the trot home.
Tealove lived with her step-mother in what used to be her home (now it’s more like a prison), and though Tealove would have so much rather slept on the tile floor of her Tea Room shop, she could never get herself to leave. That was the house where she had been born, where her dead mother had lived, where she and her dad had stayed, alone for four years (it would have been seven if miss hay bag hadn’t moved in three years ago). She had had so many memories, horrid and blissful, in that house and if she left, Tealove was sure her step-mother would change everything so that every past memory was stripped from the place. (And that would include destroying mom’s bedroom, and that means miss poop face gets destroyed….though that last part wouldn’t be so bad.)
The shadows of the chilling night stretched across Ponyville's cobblestone streets as the crescent moon above sparkled peacefully amidst the twinkling stars. Tealove approached the neat array of houses lining Sugar Street and counted down to the sixth one, the only home with windows spilling with florescent flowers (Miss mare's failed attempt to 'bring some color to this drab place'. Right. Go suck an egg).
Tealove inhaled deeply as she spotted the dim light still lit in her step-mother's room. Perhaps she had fallen asleep while watching her favorite shows and maybe, just maybe, Tealove could sneak in without being noticed. She slowly clicked open the door, staggered inside (just to smell that retched stink of perfume that jerk face mare keeps using) then began tiptoeing through the living room and towards the stairs. Even though her stomach was gurgling for something sweet (perhaps a mini eclair would hit the spot), but Tealove pushed away the urge to make a detour to the kitchen and refocused on making her way up the stairs without creaking.
As the mare neared the top of the staircase, she spotted a light reaching toward her from her step-mother's room, then the noise of a television pricked her ears (oh please let the old mule just have left the TV on!). Tealove carefully peeked over the last step. She gazed across the second floor. There was her second best safety zone-her bedroom- just feet away, but before she could reach it, she had to get past the open door to her step-mother's room. So Tealove began the dangerous journey across the landing, not letting out a single breath as she passed the red zone, then she reached the door to her room and was about to place a hoof on the knob when-
DONG. DONG. DONG. The grandfather clock!
Tealove almost jumped out her fur from the sudden noise. (I know, I know! Way past bedtime, way past curfew, now shut up!) Tealove looked anxiously towards the door of her step-mother, (please for once keep your fat rump down when you're supposed to!) and thankfully, nothing appeared in its doorway and after thirteen dongs (enough dongs for one to have enough time to pull out all of their mane and tail), the house returned to silence.
Tealove let out a small sigh (for once Celestia is on my side!) then she turned back to her bedroom door, carefully turned the knob and-HIC! (No. Not the hiccups. You know how hard those things are to get rid of?!) HIC!
Tealove shoved a hoof in her mouth, bulldozed open her door and then-
"Tealove Van Clovers!"
(Thanks Celestia.)
Tealove squeezed her eyes shut then slowly turned around to find none other than her step-mother in the doorway of her room, her pink coat gleaming, her white mane done perfectly in curlers, her lips as red as roses and wearing a white silk robe with a slit high enough on the flank to show off the mare's treble and bass clef made into a heart cutie mark, (which I'm like, why even bother? No one's going to see you sleeping, but then the mule's all like, 'well dear they don't call it beauty sleeping for nothing!'. Yah. Sure.) but there was one thing that stuck out amidst the mare's glowing beauty.
(Her ugly face?)
It was her teeth, or rather, fangs. Tealove's step-mother was a bat pony (or so she claims. I'm pretty sure she's a monster in disguise though) with leathery wings, furry ears and a constant craving for bugs and sometimes even bloody meats (which I always have to make. She would've done it herself if she didn't know I'm vegetarian. Like every other normal pony in the world!!). So along with this mare's beauty was a gleam of evil.
"Tealove." (yes we've accomplished that) her step-mother repeated then gazed at her step daughter up and down form her slightly frizzed mane to the bruises on her legs, then she tutted, "Tealove, Tealove. Tsk, tsk, dear. You're father would be ever so disappointed."
Tealove suppressed a scowl, but couldn't help growling, "Don't talk about my dad."
Unfortunately, the older mare heard Tealove's comment and (thank you once again, Celestia) instantly melted into a sappy, sickly honey.
"Now, Tealove!" she exclaimed as if she had just called herself ugly, "I know you can to better than that! Come now, tell me I'm an ugly mule who deserves the same fate as your mother!"
Tealove's nostrils flared and she shouted, "Don't you talk about my mother!"
Her step-mother gave her a look a concern and began cautiously striding towards her step-daughter, "Oh dear, my apologies! I should have known better...now tell me dear," the mare leaned close to Tealove's face and delicately whispered, "what horrible thing made you late coming to the my house and breaking my rules?"
Tealove huffed through her nostrils and shook her mane, causing her step-mother (how about we call her Miss mule? That sound good to me) to quickly back away, but she quickly regained ground.
"Such an untamed beast, you are," Miss mule offered sweetly, "I should sign you up for a trainer, a pony of my kind would do best, to teach you to act more civilized. How does that sound, Cute-Tea?"
(Oh no. She did not just use dad's nickname on me.)
"Don't call me that!!" Tealove practically roared, but that only brought Miss mule to chuckle.
"Now dearest, temper. Now, we'd best be off to bed, yes? I'm sure you're very tired from your night. Would you like me to brush your hair before nighty night?"
(She did not just quote my mom.)
"Shut UP!" Tealove screamed, holding back tears as best as she could as Miss mule drew closer, trotting around her and whispering,
"I'll be sure to hire that trainer. Now to bed with you, and I will hear what has happened tonight at the morning's breakfast, so don't think you're getting away, dear."
Then the two were muzzle to muzzle (with just a centimeter separating us and let me tell you, that old goat stank like hay. I don't know what perfume she's using now, but she stinks like haaay) then Miss mule whispered so quietly it was more like a gentle breath of words, but they cut into Tealove like nothing else.
"From now on, let's try just a little harder not to totally make a fool of your daddy and mum, shall we?"
Tealove's very bones were shaking with rage, her face felt like burnt toast, smoke might as well have been blowing from her ears, and she stormed into her room, slamming the door as hard as she would on Miss mule's face, then she flung herself on her bed, letting all her rage and fire burn out of her through floods of tears until she'd cried herself to sleep.
"Sorry," the dashing red stallion said, his deep voice like music to Tealove's ears, and as she watched his blonde mane fly, she stuttered for words, for an 'it's alright,' but the sentence wouldn't come out. And that's when it happened. She felt a jerk deep in her gut, making her nauseous for only a second, then she was once again swept into the whirlwind of moments that made no sense, but sent tingles up her spine because of the firm hoof still wrapped around her-
"Excuse me!"
Suddenly, Tealove was thrust from her thoughts and plopped back beside the half-set table in her store, Tealove's Tea Room. She quickly shook herself then turned to face a customer that she hadn't noticed had come in.
"Sorry, not trying to be a bother," the business stallion said as he pushed his glassed farther up the bridge of his muzzle, "but I've come to pick up the order I put in two days ago for a relaxing luncheon in the fields after the ponies finish Summer Wrap-Up. Is it ready?"
(Oh shoot. The luncheon!)
"Um..it will be done by noon!" Tealove stumbled to reply and only after she put on her biggest smile was the stallion satisfied.
"Then I will see you then. Cheerio!"
Once Tealove was in her shop alone, she pretty much toppled to the ground. She only had three hours to make a luncheon for all of Ponyville plus had to move it to the fields! (And not to mention make it look pretty! That's the whole point!)
Tealove knew she needed to get working and knew she shouldn't have let herself sleep in that morning and knew she should have at least offered a hoof during the Summer Wrap-Up duties, but she hadn't. Didn't. And now she out there alone. (Not a hoof at my side. Aren't I so pitiful?)
As Tealove stirred one of five pastry batters in her large, fancy kitchen, she found her busy hooves slowing to a stop, her mind wandering to the night before. To the red stallion she'd ran into. What had happened back there? She'd never felt anything like it, not only the heart swelling sensation, but also how she had seemed to be sucked right out of the real world and into her own world. Or another world. That had never happened before....(focus, girl!)
Twelve dozen tea cakes later (and not to mention the alfalfa sprout sandwich bites, cucumber creams, sweet teas, miniature cupcakes and about a million other things!), Tealove was bulldozing out the door with a full cart of Tea Room cuisines behind her. She dashed down the streets (please don't let the deviled quail eggs get swooshed!), skid around lamp posts, galloped across the bridge, then there she was. And there everypony else was!
"You're late," the business stallion who had placed the order grunted as Tealove stood, frozen and horrified that she had been tardy at the field's edge, "but no worries, dear!" he assured her, "Everypony has been busy playing games and such. I didn't even notice you were late until I checked my pocket watch!"
Tealove forced herself to breath then nodded at the stallion, "I'm..sorry. It will be ready in just a moment, then-"
"But of course I'll have to demand a full refund for your being past time."
"What?!" Tealove cried, but quickly tired to remain calm and not break down, "Um..how about we discuss this later? There are some ponies..staring at us."
"Oh, of course!" the stallion exclaimed with a snort, "Do your thing and I will distract them!"
Within minutes, the luncheon was ready and the field looked like a meadow of treats and flowers. Tealove leaned against her cart, exhausted, but proud of her fast work. (Just the right sprinkles on the cupcake, if I do say so myself.)
Tealove smiled as the luncheon's guests began seating themselves, everypony grateful to have a break from their Summer Wrap-Up work, and as she gazed across the sea of manes, she spotted him. Blonde. Red. Apple cutie mark. And then it happened all over again.
Tealove was sucked from the present, but instead of flying off to moments that made no sense, she found herself gazing down at a dark castle kept together by sappy green goo. And it was a castle she knew all too well-the palace of Queen Chrysalis.
That's where her mom had died-where she'd been murdered. Where Queen Chrysalis had given Tealove the most unforgettable birthday present of her life. The place where Tealove had been foalnapped, where her parents had burst in to save her, where her mom had sacrificed herself in exchange for her daughter's freedom. The castle of her nightmares.
Tealove struggled to shake herself from the scene, but the image wouldn't budge, and soon she found herself blurring into the very throne room that she'd been imprisoned in seven years ago. (No! Stop it! Get me out!) In that throne room was none other than the Queen of the Changelings, gazing into a glass sphere filed with green wisps that formed ponies form other places in Equestria-Tealove had seen her use this before. That was how Chrysalis knew her parents were coming to save her, how she knew to send her minions to stop Princess Celestia and Luna from coming in time to defeat her, to save their subjects.
"Oh, the little Coverts," Queen Chrysalis smirk with a throaty laugh, "Thinking they can stop us! And what's this, Celestia? Training your pets to do your bidding? How humorous. Well, think again, Princess, for I will rise and you shall-!"
"Tealove!"
Slightly shaking and with one trickle of cold sweat running down her face, Tealove was jerked out of her thoughts to find herself facing a mare with blue and pink curls and a cutie mark of small candies. Tealove had never seen her before (mostly because I practically never left my Tea Room, but you know) and fumbled to reply to the slightly concerned looking pony (who also somehow knew my name....).
"Uh..I, uh..yah?"
The mare gazed at her form top to bottom then said, "I have a letter for you," and from her saddle bag produced a cylinder container big enough to hold three scrolls and was sealed with the Royal symbol of the meshed Celestial Sun and Lunar Moon. Written across the container were the words 'Addressed to Miss Tealove Van Clovers, Ponyville. Received from Canterlot, Princesses Luna and Celestia. Important. Speed Mail. Reply at once'.
Tealove took the parcel with her hoof, "Um..t-thank you, Miss.."
"Just Bon-Bon," the mare corrected then took a second helping of mini bunt cakes from Tealove's cart and whispered, "Open it when you're alone. When you're sure you're alone," and then she left, trotted off, all smiles and cakes, as if nothing at all had happened.
Tealove stared until Bon-Bon disappeared into the crowd.
(What was that all about? And why the hay do the Two Sisters care about contacting me? I'm surprised they even know my name, but....more like, what was...what I saw? With Queen Chrysalis? And why?)
Her curls were now just locks of frizz, her hoofs now raisins form all the dishes she'd washed, her eyes could barely stay open, they were getting blood shot and puffy, but Tealove kept working.
She was back in her Tea Room, late in the night, closing down the store and making sure everything was spit spot for the next day. She could have been done hours ago, but Tealove slowed her work to perfection speed (as I call it), but being slightly OCD wasn't the real reason she was lengthening out her work. It was that letter. The letter that was then laying on the spotless counter, right where Tealove had left it when she'd come back to the Tea Room after the Summer Wrap-Up luncheon. Every now and then she'd glance at it, put down the pastry cream mixer she'd been scrubbing for about an hour and reach for it, but then thoughts of what the letter could be shot into her mind. (It had to be horrible. I was told to open it in secret! What if it self destructs and blows Dad's..I mean, my Tea Room up! Why can't I just pretend I never got it? Why do ponies have to talk to me? What could the Princesses want from me?!)
Eventually, around midnight, Tealove had nothing else to do. Every teaspoon, kettle, tray and whisk had been soaked, scrubbed, rinsed, sanitized, soaked again, scrubbed..(you don't want to hear the rest. I'll put myself to sleep if I list it off) and now it was time. It came down to this. (Just me and the letter.)
Tealove took in a deep breath as she suddenly noticed how quiet the Tea Room was..and how alone she was...(and how vulnerable!). Technically, it was the perfect time to read the letter, so Tealove finally forced a hoof around the scroll container, swallowed to sourness rising in her throat, then (just in case it does self destruct) trotted out into the cold night to open the case.
The moon shone high above her, the silence and open space seeming to beg the darkness to make something bad happen as Tealove popped the lid from the letter and tipped it carefully over onto the cobblestone street around the corner from Ponyville plaza. Out of the cylinder slid a parchment scroll tied in ribbon that resembled Princess Celestia's mane (not too bad so far), a smaller, folded piece of paper and finally, a little pearl plopped onto the floor with a soft 'dink'. (Okay...)
Tealove's twisted stomach (that was so regretting eating all of the leftover mini cream puffs) loosened a little. It seemed like just a letter. Perhaps an invitation to cater a tea party at Canterlot! (What an honor that would be!) Tealove let the thought lift her heart a bit then tugged at the scroll's silk ribbon and unrolled the parchment to begin reading.
"Dear Tealove Van Clovers,
You are not just an earth pony. You posses more magic in you than some unicorns, and it is because of who you really are. Your true
identity has been kept quiet since your birth, even your own parents-who I am sorry to say are not your real parents-did not know who
their 'filly' really was, but this very confidential information has leaked over the years and as your powers are growing stronger, I believe it
is time.
Tealove, you must report to the Canterlot palace immediately. You are not safe where you are-you're being watched and you need to
come to Canterlot as soon as possible. Once you are there, request that the guards bring you to the throne room 'as fast and quick as a
zipping moon beam across the sun of the morn'. You must, for the situations are dire and we need you immediately.
I am sorry that I cannot explain more, but you will be informed more upon your arrival at Canterlot. Travel quickly and safe. I have two of
my most trusted ponies on guard in Ponyville, ready to escort you safely to the palace. Don't worry about finding them, they will find you
first.
Your Majesties,
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna."
Tealove stared. She blinked. (That light from the lamp post at the corner must have been on full blast cause the glare kept making my eyes water.) Her stomach felt empty now, a caved out pit. She squeezed her swollen eyes shut then reread the letter again. And again. It was seriously there. That was seriously the signatures of the Princesses. This was real. But it couldn't be!
Tealove read over the first paragraph. (They must have the wrong Tealove Van Clovers. I'm just as magical as a burnt eclair without a filling! And my parents...) Tears started to well up in her eyes again, but Tealove forced them down as prickled of anger began to rise from her gut. (How dare she say that about my parents! They're my real parent! The hay bag..the nerve!) But then she remembered. Tealove had never seen, out of all the scrapbooks her mom had made, there weren't any picture of Tealove being in the hospital after birth. (Mom would never miss a documenting opportunity as big as that!) Now that she thought about it though, Tealove had never seen any picture of her before the age of two. Not one picture of her as a little filly being passed around to all of her eager aunts and uncles so everypony could have a chance to cradle the new born in their arms...
(No! It wasn't true!) Tears were trickling down Tealove's cheeks now, and even though they tickled at her suddenly burning face, she didn't wipe them away. (It can't be!)
Tealove threw the scroll aside and let herself sob. She was angry at Celestia for keeping such a secret, angry at her parents for some reason she couldn't name! Heart broken that she was angry about them... Everything she'd known to be true! Down the drain! Why didn't anypony tell her? Who could she trust now? (Nopony...nopony cares. You're an orphan. Nopony loves you!)
Tealove choked as her tears blurred the streets and quickly snatched up the folded piece of paper to give her mind something else to brew over. Anything else than her parents.
On this paper was a picture. A picture (that really didn't help the situation!) that stopped Tealove's heart, that stopped her very breathing. Even the tears froze for a moment.
This picture was of a small filly. Green coated, blue maned (which would have been like mine if it hadn't been cut so short and was sticking up like a stallion's mane) with eyes as blue as crystals. And this filly was in Canterlot. In the palace. Tugging at the flowing ends of Princess Luna's mane as Princess Celestia, mane up in a towel and looking quite groggy, held out a bottle in failed attempts to distract the little filly. And the picture was dated. (My birthday.)
Tealove quickly scanned over the words below the picture that read 'Along with this picture is enclosed a pearl. This will be your means of communication once you join with your escorts. They will explain how to use it. Please place it in your ear for now'.
Tealove glanced at the pearl, eyes drying now, then gingerly rolled it around in between her hooves. It looked like any normal pearl that would be on a necklace, just like the edible ones she topped mini cupcakes with. (But in my ear? Surely there was a more natural way to wear it?) Even though Tealove thought it to pointless, she followed her instructions and fit the pearl in her ear, but what she wasn't expecting was that as soon as the pearl made contact with her skin, it latched on like a magnet (or a hearing aid). This spiked a little something inside of Tealove's skull, though she couldn't tell if it was pain or a jolt of excitement, either way, she felt ready to face the world now. To leave Ponyville. (More like to leave behind Miss mule, but a change in scenery is always well appreciated too.) And most importantly, to find out who she really was.
Tealove shoved the small note back into the letter casing, but as she reached for the scroll, her hoof made contact with a sticky goop ball instead of parchment. (Oh no, not gum!) But when she turned around, she found that there wan't a scroll in sight. Not even a ribbon. Just a small patch of green goo that was beginning to quickly harden. Tealove's heart stopped. (Man, if that keeps happening, I'm going to die soon.) It was a feeling she knew all too well. The crystallizing of Queen Chrysalis's pods. It was true. She was being watched.
********************
It was pretty easy to get packed up and ready to go. After her dad had passed, Tealove' step-mother had taken pretty much taken every one of her personal belongings to 'humble my dear daughter during this time of trial'. (Yah, well what would you say if I stole all of your posh stink bomb perfumes to humble your ugly face?)
After five minutes of jumping at every sound and almost fainting from holding breath while Miss mule went downstairs for a drink, Tealove's room was almost totally empty. So with one last glance at the house, Tealove took the safest way out (following the squirrels down the tree near my window) then (freedom! I can't believe I'm finally doing this...) took off towards the Ponyville Express.
Tealove's heart pounded against her skull as Ponyville zoomed past her. (What am I doing? How do I know this whole thing isn't a lie?) Multiple times she stopped and even twice turned back to Sugar Street, but this was her chance. Her only chance to leave, to start new. Totally new. And every time she considered returning home, this one thought drove her to keep galloping forward: (hey, as long as I can make my mini cupcakes where ever I'm going, everything's perfect! Except for mom and dad..but...oh. I want to to know who I am. That too.)
"Can I have a ticket to Canterlot, please?" Tealove asked as she nervously scanned the shadowed Ponyville train station.
"Well, of course, m'am!" the young stallion behind the glass whinnied then, using his horn, slipped a shining golden ticket across the counter, "Enjoy your travels! And don't forget to donate to our sponsors, the Shiny Hoof Foundation for...!"
"Mhm," Tealove nodded distractedly as she trotted towards the bench by the train tracks, still looking over her shoulder in case Miss mule came suddenly swooping down from the sky, fangs ready to drag Tealove back home, but the sky was clear. Too clear. The moon wasn't up that night. Only stars. (Weird. I thought Princess Luna didn't do New Moons.)
Tealove took a seat on the bench and gazed up at the train schedule. Her escape would arrive in half an hour. (I have to wait? What kind of Equestrian society do run?!) So she waited, tapping a hoof against the cement ground as the minutes slowly ticked by, but remained patient. (By the time that train does come, I'll be dead and gone!!)
The night aged on, the shadows seeming to grow darker as Tealove waited, struggling to stay awake and constantly nodding off. Once she even had a half-asleep dream about arriving at Canterlot just to have Celestia morph into her step-mother (let's call her Madam stink. Miss mule was getting old) and to have all the blood sucked out her by the fake Princess's fangs...
Tealove jerked awake with a squeak. The train tracks focused back into view after a moment of blinking, then Tealove shook herself as if that would erase the dream and began listing off the ingredients and directions on how to make a mini eclair to distract herself. She was beginning to relax again when she reach the half teaspoon of vanilla, but then something out of the corner of her eye suddenly caught her attention. A shadow. Followed by another one in the same shape that zipped across the landing to the ticket stand. And the ticket stallion wasn't there anymore.
Tealove jumped to her hooves, keeping her saddle bag close as she squinted into the dark, "Hello?"
No response. Tealove was about to sit back down when a stallion's voice replied, "Hi there!" then the ticket booth pony trotted out of the shadows.
Tealove let out a long sigh, "Oh! I thought..you probably shouldn't..lurk in shadows like that...you might scare somepo-"
The stallion punched Tealove square in the muzzle, sending her to the ground with a horrible nose bleed, but he just laughed and whispered, "Oh please. Lurking in the shadows is what we do. Come on boys!"
Tealove blinked furiously, trying to bring her eyes back into focus as three other black shadows appeared from behind the ticket stallion-who wasn't the ticket stallion anymore! As his friends came up behind him, the pony began to fizz green until, form the hooves up, he was twisted into his true form. A black, fanged, winged and holed pony-a Changling. And as he transformed, so did his friends.
Tealove screamed, "Somepony he-!!" but before she could finish, the lead Changling jumped on top of her, its touch chilled Tealove to the bone and sent a violent shudder through her body once her bucked her in the stomach.
"Ack!" the mare choked, "Get OFF!" and as she wound up to return the blow, the other Changlings joined the dog pile and set to work biting at their victim's limbs. Pain shot up Tealove as if it were traveling straight through her veins to her heart where she felt a jerk inside of her chest. (Are they venomous? Am I being poisoned?!) But instead of making her weak, the sudden stab of pain blew through Tealove like a gust of fighter charged wind and quicker than a whisk, she bucked away the biters, sunk her teeth into the closest hoof to her and head butted the lead Changling as hard as she could in its chest.
"Agh!!" the pony creature yelped and he fell back, allowing Tealove to hop to her hooves and give the remaining attackers a swift buck in the flank.
"Somepony help!" Tealove yelled toward town, "The Changl-!"
But then a hoof was stuffed into her mouth and she was tackled, "Shut it, Sweet," the pony pinning her down growled, "Nopony's coming to help you. Not when we're-!"
"Oooooh, can't I take just one sip?" a Changling butted in, "The love in this one is even sweeter than the stuff in Princess-"
"Shut up!" the leader snapped, "Don't you listen at all? Queen Chrysalis said to leave this one until-"
"But can't we just have a tiny lick?" the other persisted, "It'll give us the energy to make it home with our load!"
Tealove wriggled desperately under the Changling's weight. The other pony-things were considering their companion's suggestion! No. As her captors discussed the pros and cons, Tealove was reminded of the torment she might be feeling within moments. She knew what it felt like to have the love sucked out of her, to have the very light and soul taken from you. It had happened that night-the night her mom pleaded that Queen Chrysalis take her instead. She only knew what it felt like for a few minutes, but her mom had experienced that until death. She couldn't feel it again-wouldn't.
"Well, I vote yes and that's final," one of the Changlings was saying.
"Well, of course you do, Bit, but what does Blaze think, eh, boss?"
"I don't see why not, so..just a small lick for each of you!"
The group of Changlings cheered. Tealove's scream was muffled from the holey hoof still shoved over her mouth. (No, no, no,no! This can't happen again! Not again! I can't-!) Tealove buck at the Changling on top of her with all her might, thrashing and biting at his hoof, but her whole body suddenly became limp, everything so numb that her brain couldn't take control. It was happening.
Tealove saw the image of herself as a filly, her mom and dad with her as they hugged under the sunset. But then the memory turned brown, curled like a burning piece of parchment until it was just an empty feeling inside. (No..stop..) Then she saw her dad and her a week after her mom's funeral, holding each other tight, feeling too alone to let go. The feeling had been so strong, the warmth had brought her to tears, but then it was whisked away. Burned, charred, crumpled until there was another hole in Tealove's heart. (No! Dad! Please!) Then the next memory appeared-the father-daughter dance. (No, not that one!!) She felt it's overwhelming love, the deep connection between he and her dad as they danced into the morning-but then a green flame began licking at its edges and soon it was curling to emotionlessness. The darkness and total misery seemed to envelop her heart, to bring the world to an end, to force Tealove down into the depths of a cruel death, like she was being dragged slowly under water, the pressure increasing, the tears flooding, the pain so real, clenching at her drilled heart.
Tealove struggled, but her limbs wouldn't respond. She tried to buck and hit, but she felt as if she was in a deep, horrifying sleep, never to wake and only to have all of her life taken from her until she was just a colorless, dead pan, withered reed of-
"NOPE!"
As abrupt as a switch on a beater, Tealove was wrenched from her tormenting misery and thrust back to the present. She blinked, dazed. There were no Changlings above her. Her memories were slowly returning to feeling as she breathed in the fresh air that pleasantly stung and her chest. There were distant cries to her her left, but when she tried to stand, her knees buckled and completely gave out. Then a Changling, looking awfully beaten, swooped to the ground and snatched her up, then desperately began flying away with her, though weighed by its load. Tealove was too dazed to process much of it though. (Give me a break, I'd just been practically tortured!)
"E-nope!"
Before the Changling could get far off the ground though, he was suddenly bucked out of the air and thrown to the ground, but Tealove flew the opposite direction. That's when she started to come to. And started to scream. But just before she could hit the ground at bone breaking speeds, she was caught by two strong hooves. It was so abrupt that it took her a moment to realize that she could stop screaming. She looked up for her savior as she was set on the ground just to find-
A broad, red coated stallion standing above her nodded approvingly, making his blonde hair bob, and said, "Yup," as if he was now satisfied with his work. It was the stallion.
"Wh..I..who..?" Tealove stumbled for words. (All this is too much-it's making my head spin.)
But before the stallion could explain, a Changling came bolting towards him, fangs bared, hissing, just to be bucked in the face and shot all the way across Ponyville. Tealove's heart jumped. Until the stallion was tackled by another Changling.
Tealove cried out and instantly tried to jump to her hooves to come to the rescue, but before she could even topple over, a blue and pink maned mare came raging across the train station platform and knotted the Changling before it could do more than punch the red stallion. Tealove was taken back. And prickled with a bit of jealousy. Who was-?
"No worries, Tealove," the mare said as the stallion and her leaned over Tealove (it was Bon-Bon! How-), "You're with us now. Covert Agent Sweetie Drops and Maximus at your service."
"Looks like Equestria isn't big enough for another princess, is it?" Queen Chrysalis snarled to the green pod hanging from the ceiling of her dark throne room. The flickering of green flaming torches lining the walls were reflected on the Pod's crystallized surface that the Changling Queen gazed into, trying with all her might to keep herself from unharnessing her powers to steal every bit of love form her prisoner. But it was so strong, so sweet...she could smell the very essence of it flooding through her victim's veins...
"Well, looks like Equestria is just big enough for a Queen," Chrysalis laughed, saliva strung across her fangs as she hungrily licked her lips, dreaming of the victorious moment that would soon be-
"Your Highness?"
Tealove almost jumped out of her coat when a Changling entered the room, interrupting the shared thought between her and the Queen.
"Huh? I-What?!" Queen Chrysalis snapped, but the Changling just blinked its reflection less eyes, glancing at the hanging pod.
"You do know that prisoner is unconscious, right, you Majesty?"
"Of course I know!" Chrysalis roared, "Now LEAVE!"
Tealove felt the ground shake form the Queen's sudden outburst and cowered on the filthy stone floor, wondering why the two didn't acknowledge the mare standing in between their argument.
"Um..of course, your Grace, but I've come to report..we failed to captor Swe-"
"Tealove, snap out of it!!"
Then, with a stiff jerk that lurched behind her skull, Tealove thumped back on the ground of the train station, hot, dizzy and ready to puke.
"Come on, we've got to get out of here before they return with backup," Bon-Bon was saying as the blonde stallion shoved the unconscious Changlings into a nearby hollow tree that appeared to have been opened by a door in its trunk.
"What..who is-"
"For now, call us Bon-Bon and Big Mac," the mare quickly replied as she helped Tealove to her hooves, gesturing to the stallion called Big Mac to join them, "The train will be too slow. I'll just transport is to Canterlot."
Tealove wearily glanced to Bon-Bon's forehead, "But you're not a uni-"
"Hold on tight!"
And before Tealove could blink, there was a blinding flash of yellow-white light, then the air totally shifted and the three ponies were sucked into a whirlwind of illumination, twisting and turning, spinning and tumbling until everything went dark and the group landed on the tile floor of Celestia's throne room. Tealove scrambled to her hooves (again) , her mane mussed form the trip, then her mind went blank (and it never does that).
Before he stood Princess Celestia, (so you're the one I owe all the thanks to) mighty and graceful, but intimidating. The Princess looked down at Tealove with a smile, gentle, compassionate and that quickly soothed the mare's nerves.
"Tealove," the Princess nickered, "I'm happy to see you made it here safely, but I'm sure you need your rest. Bon-Bon, would you please show her to the-"
"I'm not tired," (a.k.a I'm dying of sleep deprivation) Tealove quickly said, "I'd like..explanations."
Celestia was surprised at first, but then regained her smile, "Of course. Sweetie, Max, you're dismissed for the night."
"Thank you, Princess," Bon-Bon bobbed her head gratefully while Big Mac nodded, "Yup," then the two left the room. (Wish I was Big Mac's partner..)
"Now then," Princess Celestia led Tealove to one of the many stained glass window scenes across the walls, "Your story begins here. With the Sky."
The Princess lightly tapped the colored glass Sun and Moon then a tingle of magic flowed, spiraling form her horn onto the window's surface, then the scene came to life.
"One day every year," Celestia narrated as the two lights in the glass sky separated and began rising above the mountains of Equestria, "Luna and I have no power over the Sun and Moon and one night, the two rise as if they were tied together."
The window lit up a silvery blue and yellow as the Princess continued, "When they reach their highest peak, their beams of light combine to form-"
A small filly morphed into the scene, growing as it slowly landed on the wind swept grass, the Sun and Moon once again combined, the now-mare sparkling with magic, then the window returned to stillness.
"You are one of the Children of the Sky, born with the name Sweet Pea and the powers of both Sun and Moon, the powers beyond that of any alicorn's, designed to save Equestria and us all in times of need. You were cared for by Princess Luna and I, sent into the world with a family enchanted to think you as their filly until now because your powers have grown strong enough that it is time to harness them properly by accepting your birthright position in Equestria's secret organization, Celestia's Clandestine, as my newest Covert Agent Sweet Pea. And now I ask..do you accept?"
Sweet Pea's-(I'll stick with the name Tealove, thanks)- Tealove's head was throbbing. What had just happened? Lies. A mistake, surely. How could the Princess tell such a lie. Such a planned out, factly lie with its own window.... Tealove stared into Celestia's eyes. (That sure doesn't look like a lying face...but that's what they want you to think.)
"I know it's a lot to take in," Princess Celestia comforted, (no dur!) "but it's true, and we need you here. Your powers have been almost a legend in the Clandestine while you've been gone, the Sun and Moon being the brightest I've ever seen when you were born... The others will be very pleased to meet you if you choose to accept. But..you see," Celestia began walking with Tealove down the halls of the palace, "Princess Luna has gone missing and I believe we've located her within the walls of the rebel society seeking to overthrow Equestria. They call themselves the Brokes. The Broke Equestrians and we've already executed three that have attempted to kill me as I slept."
At the very mention of killing and death, Tealove's blood curdled as the two trotted up the stairs.
"The situation is dire, but it is your choice if you'd like to join. If you choose not to though, I'm sorry that I must drain you of your non-earthpony magic..to keep things low key. (Well, now I'm definitely not going to join) But you may tell me your decision tomorrow morning."
Tealove was led into a large bedroom where Celestia first brushed her mane then tucked her in bed (which was only a little weird, but I didn't say anything because I guess, when she was caring for me as a filly, it was normal) and before she closed the door, the Princess whispered, looking worn out and relieved at the same time, "It's great to have you back, Sweet Pea," then Tealove was alone. In the dark. Trying to focus on the decision before her instead of falling asleep (well, after all that, how could I say no? Thanks again, Celestia).
As Tealove lied there, her thoughts wondered to Ponyville, to her parents' house (ugh, how could I have left Madam stink there alone?), to her apparent birth place (the sky. right), then to her real name. (Sweet Pea. I don't even like peas.) She ran the name through her mind, then she began whispering it to herself over and over again. (Sweet Pea...it's not the worst name ever.) Then she decided. She would do it. She'd join the Clandestine. For her mom. For her dad. She'd save Equestria. She'd save all the little fillies that were at the edge of loosing their loved ones. She'd save them from her misery...but for now, she was going to sleep until three in the afternoon and not even Princess Celestia would stop her.
*********************
"The name's Beach Mark," the sun tanned, unshaven, broad stallion said, flashing a movie star smile as he trotted around Tealove, taking in her every detail, "but you can call me Baye."
Tealove scowled at the stallion who wore a ruffled, collar-up shirt under a black vest with a tape measure lying across his neck. (Who is this guy, a seamstress?)
"How about I call you Mark," Tealove suggested through gritted teeth.
Beach Mark shrugged, looking at his reflection in his polished hooves, "Whatever you like, Sweet."
That morning, Tealove had been woken up early by a wide awake Bon-Bon and after a relaxing but rushed bath in the palace'e gigantic tub, Tealove had been ushered to a quick bran biscuit breakfast then handed over to Mark for some 'business' before her welcoming in to the Celestia's Clandestine.
"Nice flank," Mark observed as he measured every inch of Tealove while recording his findings on a notepad (which, even though he wasn't a unicorn, was floating in a yellow glow), "Where'd you get it?"
(If this guy keeps staring at my flank..) Tealove gritted her teeth and stiffly replied, "I got my cutie mark from owning a Tea Room back in Ponyville...and stop calling me 'Sweet'!"
Mark gave Tealove a little shove in the flank to get her moving and onto the raised metal podium across the spacious, but mechanism crowded chamber, "Eh, it's not my fault your name is Sweet Pea, my Sweet."
(Oh. Right. How could I forget?)
"Now stand still, Sweets!"
And before Tealove could protest or even yell at Mark for calling her 'my Sweet', six robotic arms flew from on top of the podium she stood on, wrapped themselves around her legs to keep her from struggling, (but that didn't stop me form screaming bloody murder at Mark) then a giant, cylinder shaped object came down from the ceiling and locked itself around Tealove.
"Cool it, girl," Mark's voice projected inside of the small space that looked like the inside was made form solar panels, "It'll just be a minute."
(A minute until death! Let me out of here this instant, you undeservingly handsome jerk!!)
So with one loud beep, the wall that blocked all of Tealove's view lit up with green grid lines that blinked until another beep sounded, then Tealove found herself covered in glowing lines and when she tried to jerk away, the robotic arms tightened their grips.
"Let me out!!" Tealove shrieked.
"Now, Sweet, do you really think Celestia would send you here to die?" Mark's voice echoed into the black cylinder, "It's just a simple scan, so hold still before you ruin another one."
She didn't have much of a choice really. The wall that wrapped around her was way too tall to jump out of and there was no way she was tearing away from those arms. (They'd tear off my legs before I'd even try to jump. Thanks again, Celestia.) So Tealove did what she was told and held still as a series of beeps reverberated through the scanning space, the grid lines projected onto her body making close up angles of Tealove enlarge themselves on the black cylinder wall. (Do I really look like that from the top? Sweet Celestia, I need to fix my mane! Okay, seriously? Was the cutie mark and blank flank really necessary to document?)
As each minute went by, more and more pictures were brought up (thankfully Mark's voice stayed quiet..at least that), then the images turned to diagrams of Tealove's dimensions, then they turned to pictures of her insides (EW! Was that necessary too?!) then to charts and graphs of her sugar levels, attention span, muscle percentage vs fat, how long she could run a speed of ten miles per hour (that and the fact that I had more muscle than fat in me was the only thing I was sort of proud to see) and a million other pieces of information that Tealove never thought were possible to figure out with just one simple scan. Even moments that stuck out most in Tealove's memory appeared on the wall, playing over and over, and Tealove watched them fondly, looking at each as if they were her best treasures until they were covered by a chart of her heart rate, determination and ability to stay conscious when bleeding (seriously, all this would have been nice to know quite a while ago).
Then all the images, charts, graphs, memories and more abruptly disappeared. Just like that, Tealove was in the dark, the colors and light of it all still etched into her eyes, then the grid lines returned to their original positions on the cylinder wall and the whole scanner lifted itself back into the ceiling. The robotic arms finally let go, the podium lowered itself level with the floor, then Tealove stepped off to face Mark, who was holding (or rather, making float by some unknown force) a small chip labeled 'Sweet Pea'.
Mark shot Tealove another movie star grin then began trotting to different corner of the room, "Now we can get to work," and for some reason, (probably because of the jungle of machinery he was leading me into) Tealove's stomach churned at the end of his smug tone.
For the next ten or so hours, Beach Mark ran tests, simulations and experiments with Tealove as his only focus. Tealove went through hundreds (thousands, more like) of courses beginning with a gun chase through 'Manehatten' (I'd say I did pretty good for having never been taught how to use a gun) while wearing goggles that morphed the space around her into Marks' choice of life threatening experiences. (That one took up most of the time and would've been fun if I almost hadn't dyed like a million times.)
Then the two continued with obstacle courses, gymnastics, aerobics, aquatics, cardio, aerial and zero gravity work outs (that last one seemed unnecessary but was the only fun one), then the simulations shifted. Tealove then went through countless tests on her hours of studies, brain exercises, decoding messages and speed learning three different languages, then next was centered around magic and even through all the inner core, inner mind, central focus, magic surfacing exercises, the conclusion was made that Tealove had no sign at all of having any special powers that exceeded that of an earth pony's. (Funny because according to the scanner chart, I'm 103% magic.)
"Well, Sweets," Mark sighed, reviewing his records on the day's work, "I've got a lot to report to Celestia! You can return to your quarters now."
Tealove, sweating, shaking, brain throbbing and scarred for life, was on the verge of (dying) collapsing, but when she was told she was free, the energy to gallop out of the room at lightning speed suddenly bubbled to the surface and she was out of there quicker than you could say 'Sweet Pea'.
As Tealove was plowing through the corridors, (only the thought of a nice long vanilla cupcake scented bubble bath motivating me to move my sore-beyond-aching body), she rounded a corner to find herself crashing and tumbling into another pony. (Ow, my..everything.)
"Sorry," Tealove mumbled, her voice cracking (because of how many times I'd screamed while being chased by magic hoarding serial killers that day), but the the pony she'd stumbled into stood and agreed, "Yup,", It was him.
"Bi..Big Mac," Tealove blushed furiously, staring t the ground as the stallion gave her a hoof and helped her up, "Um..thank y-" then it happened again. Tealove was swept from the evening chill of the palace, away form Big Mac's deep green eyes, and dropped into (Ah! Oh wait..) Celestia's sleeping quarters. (Hm, that's new.) And to the mare's surprise, the Princess was asleep. (Well, no, duh, but if she's asleep, the why am I-?) Then the balcony window slowly drifted open.
Tealove jumped, but there was nothing there. The muffled noise of shuffling hooves and clanging golden armor was coming form the other side of the door-the guards were keeping watch. (Should I alert them? No. A loose window hinge isn't very-) Then a black figure silently flew into the room and pressed itself flat against the wall. (Okay, freak out time.) Tealove was about to make a run for the door, but the the black cloak came flying straight at her. She didn't have time to move, the impact was coming, (will he kill me if I'm found?!) she braced herself and then......nothing happened.
Tealove opened her eyes. The pony had passed right by her-no, through her. (Am I dead? Half-ghost?) But before she could ponder more on that, she spotted the shadowed intruder looming above the Celestia. Then a knife was produced form the cloak. The Princess slept on. Tealove's eyes grew wide. The blade was being raised (do something, Tealove!!). The moonlight was reflecting off the knife's shining surface, piercing Tealove's eyes, the the pony reared onto its hind legs, ready for victory, and then-
"AHHH!" Tealove's eyes flew open. She was laying in her bed, a wet rag on her forehead, two ponies above her, her stomach a clenched fist, tugging upward, nauseating her past the need to puke, making life itself feel sickening.
"Thank goodness," Bon-Bon sighed, "What happened to you?"
"Celestia! Tealove gasped, sweating cold and shaking uncontrollably, "She-her room-pony!"
"What?" Big Mac asked, instantly causing Tealove to blush under his gaze. It only took her a moment though to gather the courage to say,
"Come on!" the she jumped form the bed, staggering only a moment then was caught by Big Mac before she could collapse. (Please kill me now. Or stop time. I wouldn't mind either.)
"You need to rest," Bon-Bon said matter-of-factly, "Besides, we can't just go barging in on the Princess because you had a dream about her."
"Yup," Big Mac agreed, which mad it harder for Tealove to disagree.
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to erase the horrible 'dream' she'd just had, but it wouldn't budge.
"Well...," Tealove ended up saying, "I'm going," and with that, she galloped out of the room, only bumping against the corridor walls a few times and tripping on the stairs twice until Celestia's room came into view, the door guarded by six stallion soldiers.
"Halt!" one bellowed, "Nopony disturbs the Princess while she slumbers!" (Then maybe you should stop screaming.)
"But you have to look n!" Tealove dried desperately, "I saw her! Somepony's in there! They came through the window and-"
"And how did you see into the Princess's quarters?" a guard demanded suspiciously.
"Uh...a dream?" Tealove struggled to explain, "More like a vision...I don't know, but you have to look because now before Celestia is dead!!"
The soldiers exchanged glances then their leader said, "And how do we know you're not the pony who-", but before he could finish with his suspicions, Tealove bulldozed past them and shoved open the door to reveal-
"Princess Celestia!!!" the guards shouted.
There in her bed was the Princess, gashes and stabs staining her sleek, blood rolled coat, the red liquid spilling onto the sheet, dripping to the floor where a knife lay. The knife.
"Quickly!!" the lead guard commanded, "Search the room!! You three, take the Princess to the Infirmary immediately!! NOW!!"
The rest of the stallions swiftly carried out with their orders and soon Tealove was galloping along side a stretcher carrying an unconscious and ominously pale-gray Celestia.
"I she going to be alright?" she managed to desperately ask, barely being able to hear over her hammering heart and wanting to cry and puke at the same .
The guards didn't reply.
When they reached the Infirmary, every royal nurse and doctor was woke to give their full attention to the Princess.
"First Princess Luna goes missing, now this!" one of the mare doctors sobbed, "What are we going to do?"
Tealove was only a bit grateful when she was ushered out of the Infirmary (I wasn't sure how much longer I could control myself while staring at the Princess's marred body), but now she could do nothing but worry. (Who's to rule Equestria if both Princesses are dead?!)
"What...did we miss? We were looking everywhere..for you!" a panting Bon-Bon asked when Tealove ran into her and Big Mac when zombie trotting down the stairs, deep in thought.
"Ye..p," Big Mac said in between breathes.
It took a while, but as the ponies trotted towards the bed chamber level, Tealove managed to explain everything she'd seen, starting with the 'dream' and ending with the Infirmary. The other ponies were left in silence. The Bon-Bon glanced at Big Mac (which made me wish it was just me and him in the hall) who nodded, "Yup," then she cleared her throat.
"Due to...recent event," the mare explained, "I think it'd be safer for all of us to sleep in the Common Room tonight. You coming?"
Tealove sighed. (I'm not sleeping in a room alone for at least a month, so..) "Yah," she replied, so the three trotted to the bed chamber's cozy Common Room filled with squishy furniture and plates of desserts that Celestia had turned down so her guests could enjoy. Tealove assisted Bon-Bon in creating a makeshift bed (made of two couches we pushed together and threw blankets over) while Big Mac gathered some treats to snack on. But by the time we meet together again, Big Mac had eaten almost all of the apple fritters.)
Tealove stared up at the ceiling dotted with tiny glowing stars, heart fluttering and making her feel light headed and giddy as she lied in between Big Mac and Bon-Bon. (Was this what friendship felt like or was it because Big Mac just gave me his last apple fritter? It was probably that last one.)
"So where are all the other Clandestine members?" Tealove whispered as the three nibbled (well, Big Mac scarfed) on their dessert.
"They're everywhere really," Bon-Bon replied, "stationed in different parts of Equestria to keep an eye out for trouble."
"And," Tealove asked nervously, "What will the Clandestine do without Celestia?"
Bon-Bon didn't answer, so Tealove bit her lip and quickly tried to fill the silence by turning to Big Mac and thoughtlessly saying, "I think the apple treats are the best. I make them at my Tea Room back in Ponyville!" (I've actually only eaten an apple about five times in my whole life.)
"Yup!" Big Mac nodded, happily stuffing his mouth with apple danishes. Tealove sunk deeper into her cover and smiled sheepishly, giving him the apple tart she was about to eat.
As she rolled over to find a comfortable position for the night though, she felt something digging into her ear.
"Ow!" Tealove quickly got up, her hoof automatically flying to her ear. The she remembered.
"You okay?" Bon-Bon asked.
"Yah, it's just...I was told to put this pearl in my ear and I don't know what it's for."
"Oh, right!" the mare laughed, "I forgot to explain. It's how we Clandestine ponies communicate. Just imagine Discord tap dancing and you'll be able to talk into it. Everypony else in the Clandestine will be able to hear you so don't say anything private. Believe me," Bon-Bon's expression contorted, "I was the laughing stalk of the Clandestine for weeks...but when you're done talking, think of Celestia slapping Discord across the face, then it will deactivate. Got it?"
Tealove stifled a grin, "Um..yah, but...Discord?"
Big Mac laughed, "Yep!"
"Hey, don't ask us," Bon-Bon giggled, "Celestia was the one to make it up. You can ask her, but the last time somepony did that...,"
This time Tealove let herself laugh with the others.
"I'm going to bed now," Bon-Bon declared after all the chocolate treats were gone, "See you in the morning,"
"Good night," Tealove whispered then bravely rolled on her side to say the same to Big Mac.
He replied, "Yup," then rolled on his side and instantly fell asleep.
Tealove's heart soared, but she had a harder time relaxing. Images of Celestia's teared, blood stained body kept flashing through her mind, imaginations of cloaked ponies shooting towards her with a knife stopped her from drifting off, but after a few hours of trying to slow her heartbeat to match Big Mac's breathing, the day's work caught up to her and she fell asleep. It was a shallow rest though. (I just kept pleading that I wouldn't be swept off into another 'dream'-vision thing. Why did I keep having those anyways? And how?)
With these thoughts and more, Tealove drifted off, fearing that with Princess Celestia and Luna powerless, Equestria would bee doomed.
Lightning surged through Tealove's body like a crashing wave of energy that vibrated straight down her bones. She felt the whirlwind of power spin around her, whipping her mane and tail, then the surge began pooling just behind her skull and with one giant explosion of magic, the pressure released. It traveled down to her limbs, regrouped at her hooves, then escaped into the outer surface of the wispy sphere she stood in, crackling until it zapped the air around her, illuminating the whole room.
Tealove wanted it to last forever. The energy, the strength, the power she felt inside that was finally being freed-it was the best feeling. She caught a glimpse of Beach Mark on the ground below, stole a glance at Bon-Bon and Big Mac beside him-her heart soared, rose to the sky she'd been born from. And it all felt right.
Blinding light suddenly covered her vision, shining out form her very insides, all she could see was an endless white, burning only a bit at her right hind leg's hock, and just when Tealove thought she was going to go blind, color was morphed back into the world. She felt the spark dying, her heart returning to her chest, then the wisping crystal aura began to become thinner and thinner until she felt her feet touch the ground. Then reality came back to her and Tealove was released from the wind and her curly mane fell perfectly back on her shoulder. She felt new, reborn, though the world was much less amazing than the light she'd experienced, it would have to do.
Tealove took in a deep breath then turned to the watching ponies. Mark was in awe. Bon-Bon was actually grinning. And Big Mac (I felt my numb face flushing) was smiling.
"Welcome to Celestia's Clandestine, Sweet," Mark declared, "You're officially in."
"Sorry Celestia couldn't make it," Bon-Bon said as Mark went off to fetch their things, "She always comes, but..you know."
"Yup," Big Mac agreed, but Tealove saw that he was gazing at her instead.
Tealove held her head high, proud of the step she'd just taken, then put forward her right hind leg to show off her newest pride and glory. On the outer side of her leg, right under the hock, was the Clandestine symbol, engraved into her skin, never to be removed. It was a Celestial Sun, half made from the upper half of their Princess.
"Alright!" Mark exclaimed as he returned, handing each pony a saddle bag and when he reached Tealove, he said, "Good luck, babe."
The mare scowled, but not even Mark could ruin her mood, so she grumbled, "Thanks," and hurried to join Big Mac and Bon-Bon at the threshold.
The ponies had been woken early that morning to prepare for the long journey ahead of them. Tealove had been relieved to see the Sun shining at dawn-that meant Celestia was alive and at least well enough to use magic. And though the three hadn't been let in to see the Princess, Mark had given them all the instructions they'd need.
"It's sort of exciting, isn't it?" Tealove whinnied as the ponies trotted out into the cool morning breeze, each bundled up in a sweater and hock warmers (which don't warm you at all! We just use the to cover our Clandestine branding), "A trip to Las Pegasus sounds awesome!"
"Yup," Big Mac replied and Bon-Bon chimed in, "We've been three times, but we've always been too busy there to enjoy the experience..and this time will probably be the same." (Well thanks for that, party pooper.)
"Well, do you think we'll have a few minutes to look around?" Tealove persisted, "Because have heard they have the most amazing productions and cuisine! Plus there's Tr-"
"We probably won't," Bon-Bon cut in, splashing into Tealove like a blasting hose on a fire, "Now everypony take a ticket!"
Tealove and Big Mac each took their golden train ticket to Las Pegasus then the three trotted across the dewed grass to sit on the very platform bench that Tealove had been attacked on two nights ago. As Big Mac took a look at the provided map of Equestria and Bon-Bon sipped at her Star Bucked Coffee, Tealove kept looking over her shoulder, scanning the pretty much totally empty station for any suspicious looking ponies. Ponies that might jump out with a knife or a-
"It's here!" Bon-Bon exclaimed, making Tealove jump as the Canterlot Express puffed into the station.
"All aboard!"
Right once the ponies took their seats on the train, Tealove dumped out her sweater pockets, quickly arranged everything on the bench then stepped back to admire her work with a huge grin.
"What's with all that?" Bon-Bon asked indignantly, pulling wind swept Big Mac back into his seat before he leaned out the window far enough to fall.
"What?" Tealove asked, gazing over the tea party and card games she had set up, "You don't really expect me to sit here for three hours doing nothing."
Bon-Bon rolled her eyes, but when Big Mac saw the mini apples cakes Tealove had whipped up just for him, he came running to join the party. (Victory! Now to trick him into saying more than 'yep' and 'nope'.)
"So, Big Mac," Tealove began casually as the stallion downed five mini cupcakes in one bite, "You live in Ponyville?"
"Yup."
"And what do you do there?"
Big Mac chewed for a moment then replied, "Sweet Apple Acres," and returned to his food. (Well, it's a start.)
"And..what's your favorite type of apple? I like the..red ones. Because they're crunchy!"
Big Mac swallowed then said, "Honey Crisp."
Tealove blinked, "Because..?"
"Oh," Big Mac quickly wiped his lips free of frosting, "because they're the sweetest."
"So you like sweet things?" Tealove pieced together, her hear pounding even more than before, "I love making desserts! Are you more of a chocolate pony of a chewy, hard type?"
"Chewy." (I can't believe he's actually talking to me!)
For the rest of the trip, Tealove spent her time sipping lemon tea and trying her best to force as many words out of Big Mac as possible. The ponies ate every last crumb of pastry and only when she was bribed with fudge brownies did Bon-Bon join and when Tealove brought out the card games, the three ended up screaming as they played. (Let me tell you, the competition was pretty fierce.) And before they knew it, the conductor's voice was calling through the cars, "Welcome ladies and gentlecolts to the ever fabulous Las Pegasus!".
"Already?!" Bon-Bon unexpectedly cried, pulling at her mane that was sprinkled with pastry crumbs, staring at the card Tealove had just put down that announced her the winner.The other two stared at Bon-Bon. (Well, I never thought I'd see that come out during this trip.) Bon-Bon sheepishly grinned as Bi Mac replied, "Yup," and began helping Tealove stuff everything back int her jacket pockets, and once everything was zipped and harnessed, the ponies made their way off the train.
Stepping off the platform was like stepping into a whole other world. Sidewalks packed with ponies styling the latest fashion, streets zooming with the newest cars, music and lights transforming the atmosphere into a party house. Glowing advertisements, giant bill boards, skyscrapers, every store a pony could dream of, the smells of a million different foods either coming form the cafes and outdoors restaurants or the many food trucks lining the streets. Everything was bustling, just the sight of it all was a roller coaster for the senses and as the ponies began trotting into the fray, it was hard to stay focused.
"Look! Oh my gosh, guys, look!!" Tealove cried, galloping as fast as she could to slam her face flat against a store front window.
"What are-" Bon-Bon started to ask, but then she saw the curly pink print on the glass and her eyes narrowed, "Really? Right no-?"
"Yep!!" and sure enough, Big Mac had his face flat against the window too, gazing longingly into the most famous tea time shop in Equestria.
"Tres Bella's Cafe is the most amazing place in all of the world!!" Tealove gushed, "It's the most famous, delicious, most beautiful cafe ever! It caters for all the biggest events-like the Grand Galloping Gala! And the Princess's Tea Parties! And snack times! They've traveled to every corner of Equestria, under the sea, to all the different species-and every pony, monster, deer, bug, zebra, donkey, griffon- everyone, everybody loves them!" the mare sighed dreamily as Big Mac started to fog up the window and Bon-Bon joined them.
"Wow," Bon-Bon said, scanning the window displaying a royal tea party scene, its fancy table overflowing with Tres Bella's specialties, "they do look...but we have to get going, so take your last looks and let's go!"
"But..," Tealove pressed her muzzle harder against the glas as if that would allow her to be sucked into her paradise, "I'b albays dreamb of tasting beir food..just to smell ib abb woulb be an honor! And-"
"Okay, Bon-Bon peeled Big Mac and Tealove off the window, leaving giant smudge marks, "Let's go before someone goes off on another Tres whatever's tangent!" (Noooo! But I can feel their strawberry scones drizzled in vanilla bean glaze with french creme filling calling me!!)
The ponies shoved their way through the bustle of the city until Big Mac finally managed to hail a taxi, then they squished in and rode deeper into the sparkling metropolis.
"Oh, look!" Bon-Bon cried, pointing to their left, "The Ghost of the Opera is in town! Oh, we have to make time to see-!"
"Now, Bon-Bon," Tealove interrupted as if she was explaining to a filly why two plus two was four, "We have to get going, so take your last look before I have to claw you away from the window seat!"
Big Mac chuckled, "Yep!" as Bon-Bon instantly blushed pink, giving Tealove her first feeling of superiority in the group.
Twenty sports cars, six taxis, five stoplights and one near crash experience, the ponies fond themselves staring up at the glass skyscraper that reached so high it disappeared into the clouds.
"Wow. Mark wasn't kidding when he said Celestia got us the best suite in town," Tealove grinned as they walked into the glamorous warmth of the hotel.
Almost everything was a white or cream color (it's a miracle how they keep things from staining!), crystal chandeliers tinkled on the ceilings, a neat lounge stood off to the right of the glass double doors, fresh complimentary cookies were set on every corner (which Big Mac quickly helped himself to) and classical music dancing through the air set the refined, but cozy mood.
"Good morning, beautiful ladies and fellow gentlecolt!" a young stallion bell hopper exclaimed as he approached the ponies, "Welcome to the Suites of Pegasus! I can take your luggage up to your room and you three just get comfortable, relax and feel free to help yourselves to anything you see!"
Tealove grinned as she unzipped her sweater, "Thank y-"
"We'll take our things up ourselves," Bon-Bon quickly cut in. Tealove shot her a look (you could at least be nice abut it!).
"If you're sure, madam," the bell hopper said, a bit taken back, "I'll just hoof over your room key and you can be off!"
Bon-Bon took the keys and as they trotted towards the elevator, Tealove called back, "Thank you!", then joined her companions as the elevator door slid shut.
Big Mac punched the level fourteen button, then the soothing piano music began and the elevator dinged until it jerked around for a moment and came to a stop at the tenth level. The doors slid back open and in trotted a mare with a light blue coat, a lime green, straight mane and tail that swept elegantly to the floor, each with one streak of white and a cutie mark that was a teaspoon sprinkling sugar down her leg.
"Hello," she said in a British accent that tugged something in the back of Tealove's brain, "What bring you three to Las Pegasus?"
Tealove was about to reply, but before the words could escape her throat, her eyes locked with the mare's and instantly, a harsh gust of wind seemed to force Tealove's knees together, causing her to collapse, breathing as if she'd just run a mile, and just as she caught a glimpse of the mare screaming and pointing at Tealove, her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she was swept away.
"An exchange, sir?" Queen Chrysalis crooned, "Oh, I' d be so honored!"
The stallion she spoke to was tall, broad and wearing a trench coat and hat that kept every other aspect of his appearance a secret.
"Yes," the stallion replied, "but only on one condition. If you and your Changlings assist in-"
"Yes, yes, I know," Chrysalis waved his sentence away, "I know your conditions, but there's only one condition that I will work by."
"And what would that be?"
Chrysalis grinned, hungrily licking up the saliva strung across her fangs, then asked, "Are you willing to kill to get what we want?"
The stallion smirked, "Never has bothered me, never will."
An evil grin curled up the Queen's face as she declared, "Then it's a deal! Now to carry out our first attack on-"
Suddenly, a splash of freezing water was dumped onto Tealove's face and she jerked forward, sputtering and choking, sweating and shaking. She was in bed, sinking into one of the fluffy mattresses in their hotel room, Bon-Bon, Big Mac, and the elevator mare standing anxiously at her bedside. Big Mac was holding an empty coffee mug in his mouth that read, 'I heart My L.P Casino'.
"Bloody hay," the mare-who looked almost totally different with her mane in a high bun and glasses-whispered.
Breathing hard, Tealove managed to reply, though her voice was raspy, "I..don't know. But I saw..,"
"You're seeing things," the mare softly said, and the way there wasn't even a hint of doubt in her voice scared Tealove.
"No, I..how long has it been?"
"An hour," Bon-Bon replied.
"Tealove fell back into the pillows and let herself sink in as images of Queen Chrysalis ran through her mind. That reminded her of her mom and dad..and her tenth birthday..Tealove quickly blinked back tears.
"You scared us so much, Sugar Kiss almost called the ambulance!" Bon-Bon exclaimed, then squeezed her eyes shut, opened them to reveal glowing irises, then somehow made a rag on the bedside table levitate to pat Tealove's face dry. Tealove quickly glanced at Sugar Kiss (don't use your magic while she's in here, hay bag!), but thankfully, she was too busy folding a hotel blanket to notice.
"Do you have these visions a lot?" the British mare asked just as Bon-Bon finished blinking furiously to return her eyes back to normal, causing the rag to fall lifelessly to the table, "What first caused you to have them?"
Tealove shifted nervously under the covers, (how do I know I can trust you, eh, Britt?) but now that she thought about it, everything she'd seen had started...after she'd seen Big Mac.
"It..started after I hit my head," Tealove shortly explained (it's not a lie!), "I'm fine though..let's go get lunch now, shall we?"
Big Mac glanced at her suspiciously, but thankfully Bon-Bon filled the silence.
"It's only ten thirty!"
"By the time you get through these bloody streets," Sugar Kiss laughed, "it will be lunch time." She unpinned her silky mane that fell perfectly to the floor then pushed her glasses to her forehead, "Mind if I join you? Desserts are on me!"
A huge grin spread across Big Mac's face and he cheered, "Yup!"
"Sure," Bon-Bon shrugged (why can't I just keep my big mouth shut?), "But we have no idea where we're going, so you can choose the place."
(Ah, thanks a lot, Bon-Bon! I just hope we end up at some fancy, clean place with mini bunt cakes and china cups.)
Three jerky cab rides later, the four ponies were seated on barrels at a wooden table, eating barbecue veggie roast burgers and glugging giant mugs of cider, all while watching a hoof fight go on across the wood plank and dirt floor restaurant. (Restaurant?! Madhouse!! And who eats food this big?! Obviously Big Mac because within ten minutes f being there, he'd already gobbled up two burgers. Gross.)
"This is the best lunch I've had in ages!" Bon-Bon declared, helping herself to some fries that their waitress had just set on the table. Sugar Kiss seemed to glow a bit more than usual then turned to her left.
"You enjoying the food? Big Mac? Tealove?"
"Eyup!"
"Um..," Tealove glanced down at the inch wide burger she had carefully cut out of the original one that was now pushed to the side, "Best..lunch I've had in ages!"
"That's what she said," Big Mac mumbled just loud enough for Tealove to hear, his cheeks lie a chipmunk's, stuffed with fries.
Tealove blushed, but could help sheepishly grinning, then she forced herself to pick up the burger (geez, this thing is heavy! That can't be healthy..) and decided to give it a chance. (Only because Sugar Kiss kept glancing at me like she was concerned..plus Big Mac was nudging me and nodding towards the burger, and I can't just ignore him...I don't even think my mouth can stretch wide enough to bite this!)
So with one deep breath through the mouth (so I didn't have to inhale all of that barbecue sauce), Tealove opened her mouth as wide as she could and (this better not make me obese!) she took one small nibble off the side. And Sugar Kiss burst out laughing.
"What kind of bloody bite was that?" she loudly laughed, "Don't tell me you've never eaten a burger before! Everypony who's anypony loves them!!"
Then she kept on laughing, hiccuping, giggling into tears. And Tealove was humiliated. She wanted to sink into the ground, escape from the shrieking laughter of Sugar Kiss, the stifled giggled form Bon-Bon and especially the throaty chuckle from Big Mac. If only she could rewind, refuse to let Sugar Kiss join them for lunch, transport herself back to her Tea Room so she could hug her kitchen aid mixer and mini cupcake tins and cry in a corner. (Okay, I'm only exaggerating a little...but I would hug the mixer.)
But instead of crying, Tealove managed to fake a laugh until their waitress came to their table to pass out to-go bags, and even though Tealove packed the rest of her burger away, she had no intention of eating it (even though all I had nibbled off was the bun).
"Any other plans for today?" Sugar Kiss asked cheerfully as the ponies stood at the street curb, Because I know the best place to spend the afternoon!"
"Actually we-" Tealove began, but then Bon-Bon cut in and said, "We don't have anywhere to be until dinner, so you can lead the way!"
"Brilliant!" Sugar Kiss exclaimed, "Follow me!" (It just keeps getting better and better.)
So for the rest of the afternoon, (four hours!!) the ponies shot across Las Pegasus's biggest and most extravagant shopping center, and even though Tealove would have preferred that Sugar Kiss had not been there, she couldn't helping enjoying herself as they tried on pretty much every piece of clothing in pretty much every store. Plus it was hard to not have Sugar Kiss's enthusiasm rub off on you. But after the first hour, Big Mac was dead bored, so the mares made a deal with him that for every forty five minutes of shopping, they would take him to the food courts for a break. There wasn't even one complaint after that.
"Bloody hay!" Sugar Kiss panted, collapsing into a pink plastic chair in the by the Fillydelfia food stand, "My hooves are going to be sore for days!"
"Totally worth it though," Bon-Bon grinned, falling into the seat next to hers and Tealove's, "I haven't been shopping like this since I joined t-"
Silence. Tealove froze under her pile of shopping bags and boxes. Big Mac froze just as he was setting down his Fillydelfia foo tray.
"Join the-?" Sugar Kiss began to press, but before she could finish, Tealove's leaning tower of bags flew in every direction. She pretended to clumsily try to catch them and in doing so, sent Big Mac's soda flooding onto the table.
"Sorry!" she cried, unusually ungraceful as she dumped the napkin container onto the mess, "There was a..on the floor..."
"Oh, hunky-dory," Sugar Kiss laughed and while she helped to sop up the mess, Bon-Bon mouthed 'thank you' to which Tealove gave a small grin.
"We should get going," Bon-Bon said after the table was once again dry, then she glanced at Big Mac who was still gobbling down a veggie dog, "I don't think we can afford anymore hours anyway."
Sugar Kiss giggled then began to rummage through her herd of shopping bags, "Alright, but before you go, I have a little something for each of you!"
After a minute of searching and mumbling about 'rubbish' and 'tosh I don't even remember buying', Sugar Kiss produced three parcels and handed one each pony.
"Open them when I'm not around though," she added before Big Mac could tear his apart, "But I hope to see you three soon! It was such fun to spend this time together! I know we don't know each other that well, but..I would consider you three my best friends."
(Oh, cream cakes, now I feel bad.)
"We definitely will do this again," Bon-Bon said as she hugged Sugar Kiss, "Thanks for taking us!"
"And for the gifts," Tealove whispered as she was squeezed by Sugar Kiss, "Whatever they are."
"Eyup!" Big Mac nodded and was about to join the other two mares at the door, but Sugar Kiss threw her arms around him before he could decide to pass without a hug. (Get your British hooves...)
By the time Bon-Bon, Big Mac and Tealove made it through the rush hour traffic and to the Suites of Pegasus Hotel, the sun was setting and Tealove's arms were as heavy as led form carrying all of her shopping bags.
"Hello and welcome back to the Suites of-" the bell hopper began, pushing forward his rolling carriage, but Bon-Bon quickly led the others past him.
"Thanks, we got it."
Then the elevator door slid to a close.
"You could try to be nice to him," Tealove suggested with pursed lips. Thankfully the cheery elevator music filled the silence. And during that, Tealove remembered. Remembered that that was the very place she'd been swept off her hooves. And she couldn't keep that secret anymore..or everypony would be left thinking she had a habit of fainting. (How lame.)
"Okay," Tealove sighed once the door to their suite was shut, "I've got something to tell you guys. So you know how I keep..collapsing? Well...Sugar Kiss was right. I've been seeing things..since I first bumped into Big Mac."
The other two ponies stared. Big Mac seemed a bit redder than usual too.
"Like what things?" Bon-Bon asked warily.
"Like..Queen Chrysalis. And Princess Celestia..being attacked."
"Chrysalis!" Bon-Bon cried, "And that's how you knew about Celestia..so what did you see when you collapsed fainted in the elevator?"
Tealove bit her lip and flopped onto her bed, "Chrysalis again..with some other stallion. They were talking about an exchange, but I don't know what about."
"We need to tell Celestia right away," Bon-Bon concluded, "She'll know why it's happening and what to do..but we'll send it later. Right now, we need to get ready to look our best!"
Tealove's heart flew a small wing beat upward-the thought of getting all fancy and dressed up was a relief amidst the other ones about Chrysalis. Plus she'd never been to a fancy dinner party, so even though the ponies wouldn't be there for the fun, Tealove was still bubbling with excitement.
"Okay," Bon-Bon declared once Big Mac had left and closed the door that separated the two connected suites, "You'r going to have to tell me what looks the best because I barely know how to dress up for an academy dance."
Tealove giggled as she dumped all her shopping bags onto the bed and began arranging outfit possibilities (I do consider myself quite the fashionista), "If you say so! But you have to help with my hair since I'm choosing your dress."
"Deal."
Big Mac ended up knocking on their door twenty times in one hour before the mares were ready, the first being ten minutes after he'd left to his room. (That's also when Bon-Bon and I shrieked at him for expecting us to be done so fast.) When every eyelash had been curled and every hoof shined, Bon-Bon and Tealove finally let Big Mac to enter the room, and when he did, he was hit with a pair of gorgeous mares now closer than ever.
"You look absolutely dashing!" Tealove cried, gazing at the tuxedo Big Mac was in, thankful that the blush was hiding her burning face.
"Thanks," he proudly held his head high, but bucked it back down to say, "You look great too."
Tealove flipped aside her bangs from the bun Bon-Bon had styled and swished her blue dress that had a leg slit just high enough to display her cutie mark (looks like Miss Mule's fashion's are rubbing off on me), "Thanks you."
"Come on, you two!" Bon-Bon called from the door in her white chiffon slit dress, half her mane pulled back by a golden bow, "The party awaits!"
The stars shown brightly in the sky, twinkling and casting shadows across the now sluggish Las Pegasus, the lights of the city staining the horizon, the noises now muffled as Big Mac, Bon-Bon and Tealove stepped out of their cab, facing an dark alley with only one lamp post hanging stationed over the gloom.
"Nice scenery," Tealove mumbled as the ponies wearily trotted down the brick corridor, "Are you sure this is the place?"
"One of our Coverts is disguised as a Broke and they said this is it, so..," Bon-Bon tried to confidently say, but her voice trailed off.
As they came closer to the alley's end, Tealove froze. There was something, sort of a tingle that had jerked behind her skull, but this time, she wasn't swept off. But she did see something.
"What?" Big Mac whispered close to Tealove's ear, but then he saw it too and Bon-Bon gasped.
The wall to their right was melting, morphing, being erased and replaced by a heavy wooden door with a brass handle and hinges. And before the ponies could take a breath, a small rectangle at eye level on the door slid open, revealing two staring eyes.
"Password," the deep voice rumbled.
Tealove glanced back at Bon-Bon (you're supposed to know what to do!), but she was just standing there, as clueless as the rest. Until their was another jerk behind Tealove's skull and she found herself saying, "Sugar sweet," before she could even think it through. (What was that? I don't even know what-)
"Correct," the voice said, then the rectangle was slid back into place, and after a moment of scraping chains, clicking locks, whistling magic and sliding bars, the door opened up to a small stone chamber where a black unicorn stallion in a white tuxedo stood.
"Welcome, fair gentlecolt and mares," his voice rumbled as Big Mac protectively led Bon-Bon and Tealove into the crammed room.
Tealove tried to say something in return, but not a word came out. Once the wooden door was clunked shut behind them, Tealove sort of panicked in the pitch black as the mystery stallion re-locked the entrance then used his magic to make it melt back into the wall. Then, without a word, he trotted past the ponies to the opposite wall, tapped his horn three times on the stone while mumbling furiously to himself, then it too morphed into a door, only this one was made of elegant white marble.
"Enjoy your stay," he said, almost sounding sinister, and at the end of his words, the new door instantly swung open and the three ponies were blinded with a sudden blast of bright lights.
Over the threshold was a giant room, to the right a dimly lit lounge, to the right glowing a dance floor, in front of them was an elegant bar and what was beyond that, they couldn't see. The place was filled with mares and stallions, most traveled in couples, linking hooves and all very nicely dress, drinking from slender glasses and lightly hatting as soft music played in the background.
It was a whole different world. Relaxing, but there was something sharp that Tealove sensed in the air. Then she noticed. Every single pony there was branded on the bottom of their left hoof, and it was a symbol Tealove had been trained to hate, to attack. The crest of the Brokes. And now they were locked in.
"And I'll have an apple cider," Big Mac was saying, "Shaken. Not stirred."
"I'll be back in a moment with your orders," the bar tender mare simpered, then swept off from the counter.
"Okay," Tealove said once the mare was out of ear shot, "what's up with the 'shaken not stirred'?"
"It's what the spies say," Big Mac grinned, "Plus it tastes better that way."
Bon-Bon giggled (that's new) as the mare returned, using her horn to levitate four drinks.
"Here is your strawberry chocolate drizzle frappe, miss," the bar tender proclaimed, setting down Bon-Bon's drink, "The monsieur's cider. Shaken, not stirred."
"Eeyup," Big Mac accepted in thanks.
"And your green tea!" the mare concluded.
"Thank you!" Tealove piped, breathing in the soothing fumes of herbs from her drink, but the bar mare didn't leave and set down a fourth drink next to Tealove's.
"The colt across the way bought this for you," she briefly explained then trotted off to take another couple's order.
Tealove glanced to the other side of the bar counter to see a stallion of a light brown hue sitting alone, black mane like a fan down the back of his head, wearing a tux with a wilting rose in the pocket. He was stirring around a glass of water and suddenly looked up, dark eyes locking with Tealove's, and she instantly felt her cheeks turn pink (that's only a little awkward..but I can't like him! That's what Big Mac is for!).
"Don't drink it," Bon-Bon said flatly.
"Why?" Tealove asked as she tore her eyes away from the stallion's, "that would be rude."
"Hello," she hissed, "we're in enemy territory. You can't trust anypony. What if it's poisoned?"
"Yep," Big Mac nodded curtly, "Don't trust him."
"I think I'd be able to tell if it's poison," Tealove mumbled, "And could you tell if it was?"
"Of course I can!" Bon-Bon exclaimed before she could think.
Tealove smirked, "Then tell me," she slid the drink across the counter, "Tell me if it's poison."
Bon-Bon glared at her, but quickly shook the expression away and sighed, "Alright."
From under Bon-Bon's belt was produced a small paper packet that seemed to be a sugar pack, but when she opened it, the powder inside was almost totally transparent. So with one delicate tap, the packet's contents were sprinkled into Tealove's tall, thin glass and instantly dissolved into the liquid.
"If it bubbles," Bon-Bon stated, "it's poison, toxic, drugged, disease or is concealing a bomb or weapon of some kind."
"Really?" Tealove asked, exasperated, "Why would it be concealing a bomb?"
"Hey, you're a newbie to the Clandestine," Bon-Bon reminded, "You have no idea how many Coverts have died because they were too lazy to check their drinks for bombs."
Tealove gave a nervous gulp.
The ponies watched the drink for a whole minute, but nothing happened. Not one bubble.
"Okay," Tealove sighed after the second minute licked by, "I'm just going to drink it now."
"Fine," Bon-Bon grumbled, sitting back and sucking on the straw to her frappe.
Tealove wished Bon-Bon would just relax, but forced herself to remember the amazing time they had getting ready together and how she'd been so determined to make Tealove's mane perfect, and at the thought, she smiled (at least Bon-Bon cares about me dying as much as she does about my mane). And when Bon-Bon caught Tealove smiling, her expression softened too and she managed to give a small grin. (Hey, we just stared at a drink for two minutes of nothingness. When you think about it, that's pretty hilarious.)
"Excuse me," Tealove called to the bar tender, "Can you tell me what this drink is? Because if it's...it's just that I don't drink."
"No worries, dearie," the mare said, "That's today's trifle special; raspberry freeze cream atop a puree of mint and vanilla fluff, drizzled with a dark chocolate melt and sprinkled with wafer strips . Enjoy!"
(My mouth is watering just hearing that. Only me?)
"Lucky," Bon-Bon muttered as Tealove scooped into her extravagant milkshake-like trifle.
Tealove smirked, "Don't you wish you had a secret somepony? I should probably go talk to him."
"Nope!" Big Mac exclaimed so suddenly it made the two mares jump.
"It's fine, Mac," Bon-Bon assured him, "Just be careful, Tealove. And remember, we're here to get information on Luna's imprisonment, so try asking him if he's heard of anything while you're over there."
"I will...and it's actually convenient for you two that I'm leaving because everypony around here is in pairs and if both of us were hanging onto Big Mac..,"
The mares giggled, but Big Mac remained amused.
"Don't worry," Tealove breathed into the stallion's ear, "I'm just hunting for information."
"Also," Bon-Bon added before they parted, "Your name is Tealove, not Sweet Pea. From now on, your code name is Tealove."
(Well, that will be hard to remember.)
"I got it," Tealove assured her, then, with one deep breath in, she began her graceful trot across the bar to the isolated stallion.
"Hello," she greeted as she swept into the stool next to the surprised stallion, "The drink was delicious. Thank you."
"Anything," he replied with a smug grin (was that even a real sentence?), "You look great tonight."
(I wasn't sure if I was supposed to say 'thank you' again, so I just moved on.)
"So..what's your name?" (Always a good place to start.)
"Call me Flare," the stallion declared, "You?"
"Tealove, and it's a pleasure."
"Sorry," Flare said, pushing his glass aside an giving Tealove his full attention, "I don't recognize you. Where're you from?"
(Oh no. Brain's blank. Sweet Celestia, save me now!)
"Uh..Manehatten," Tealove ended up blurting, "I'm visiting..just for this even t though."
"Ah," the stallion smiled, "the city of lights. No wondeer you seem to glow."
Tealove blushed then quickly changed the subject, "So you live here in Las Pegasus? How is it?"
"Pretty good," Flare shrugged, "but I wish I lived in Manehatten headquarters. What's it like there?"
"It's..," (think, girl, before I slap you), "not a nice as this one actually. Do you have these parties often?"
"Monthly. Unless there's an emergency meeting..then we have to bribe our members here with food."
Tealove giggled, "That's how you'd get me here!"
"Drinks for two, please," Flare called to the passing bar tender, "It's on me."
"So," Tealove began, getting down to business as the bar mare served them two slender glasses of cider, hers with an apple slice stuck onto the cup's rim, "I heard something about a prisoner being kept here..or having been captured recently. Have you heard anything like that?"
"A hostage?" Flare actually looked surprised, "I think I would've heard about that one," the stallion took a sip from his glass,"..Tealove," Flare looked back into her eyes and Tealove was instantly locked with his deep, dark ones, "I see that you don't have a significant other for the evening."
(Oh. Awkward. Unless it's just me.)
"Well, I was here with my friends, but..."
"And I was wondering if you wanted to be my right hoof mare tonight."
Tealove sucked in a breath. (Well..I guess...but Big Mac and Bon-Bon..)
"Attention, everypony," a deep voice rumbled though the room, bringing everyone to silence. From her seat at the bar, Tealove spotted a room to her left that opened up into an auditorium where on the stage was the black stallion in a white tuxedo who had welcomed her, Bon-Bon and Big Mac in.
"We will be beginning this evening in the Stage Corner, so everypony come and find a seat," the stallion announced, his vice somehow amplifying through all of the headquarters.
Flare stepped off his stool then turned toward Tealove and offered his arm, "You coming?"
His black eyes almost looked sad, like he was about to cry, like he was pleading her to link with his arm, and Tealove couldn't find the guts to refuse so she surrendered to giving him a grateful smile and took his arm. Flare's coat was warm against hers and Tealove was surprised to find it a comfort to have the stallion by her side.
"Thank you and welcome to the Broke Equestrian Democratic Society dinner gala," the black stallion on the stage calmly announced when everypony had gathered in the auditorium, looking almost like a shadow against the curtains, "We are here together to enjoy the equality of our Society outside of the rule of Equestria's tyrant Princesses and dive into the joys of everypony having a say in our government. We would first like to thank our cooks who graciously made this meal possible, starting with Meadow Vine, Summer Skies..."
(First of all, what is this democracy he speaks of? Second, this meeting doesn't sound like an evil rebel society plotting murder...)
"Who's that guy?" Tealove whispered to Flare as the black stallion on the stage began reciting what he announced was the Broke Declaration.
"He's our area leader, Thunderclap," Flare replied, "You're lucky to have our Head-pledge to Ringo-leading your home headquarters."
(Ringo?)
"And before we adjourn to our dinner, we shall pledge ourselves in thanks to our Head, Ringo," the stallion named Thunderclap was saying when Tealove tuned back in, "Everypony, please stand for the Pledge of the Brokes."
Thankfully Tealove was still linking arms with Flare because otherwise while all the Brokes began to stand, Tealove would have been clueless and be left to scramble to join the others.
"Ready," Thunderclap solemnly declared, "Salute."
Then the whole audience began reciting words Tealove desperately tried to mouth along to, but sometimes she was too focused on listening to make her mouth move.
"I pledge my loyalty," the ponies chorused, their hooves that had the Broke emblem branded on at their temples in salute (I saluted, hoping nopony was looking as I balled my hoof into a fist so they couldn't see that I wan't branded), "to our Head of the Broke Equestrian Democracy, and to our fight for freedom and voice, as one society, forever for equality, ever united with liberty and justice for everypony."
And then they sat. (Is it just me, or does this not at all sound like a plan to overthrow Equestria? Perhaps that's just what they want me to think!)
"And now every couple is dismissed for dinner," Thunderclap said emotionlessly, "Enjoy."
"We should sit next to him," Tealove whispered as Flare led her into the dining hall where a long table set with covered dishes lay.
Flare gave her a side glance, "Why? I sort of have a bad reputation with him..."
"Well, I'd be an honor to meet an area Head!" Tealove tried to sound excited, "It would just be for dinner."
The stallion gave her a weary look, but easily gave in and the two ended up in the two seats on the left side of the dining table's head where Thunderclap sat.
When the shining silver covers were taken off from the many dishes running down the table, the spacious, high ceiling room was filled with the warm perfumes of the ponies' feast. Tealove helped herself to a minuscule serving of everything and grinned when Flare offered up a toast for the two in honor of Tealove's visit to Las Pegasus, then she carefully waited for the perfect time to speak with Thunderclap. (And I would have gotten that out of the way sooner if Flare would have stopped talking to me! Okay, I can't complain too much because at that dinner, I found out about every detail there is to know about him. And he found out the same with me...And I can't help saying that it was fun. Who would have guessed that Flare had been born in Canterlot, trained to be part pf the Royal Guard, got kicked out for pulling a prank on the Captain and had been a blank flank all that time because he'd never been able to be himself. Then he came to Las Pegasus and finally got his mark, a flaming quill-turns out he's a writer.)
Finally, when Flare was busy getting a fourth serving of rolls, Tealove decided that that was her only chance and dove to take it.
"Mister Thunderclap," she began, "My name of Tealove and I'm visiting from the Manehatten headquarters! It's a pleasure."
The black stallion looked up stoically, examined Tealove from tail to muzzle (please don't notice my blank hoof!), then gave the smallest smile, "Wonderful to meet you as well. Be sure to give our Head-pledge to Ringo-a friendly hello when you return," then he returned to his food and that was that.
"Um..," Tealove's raced around a moment then she forced herself to continue, "So tell me how you rose to be an area leader, Mister Thunderclap!"
"You may just call me Thunderclap," the leader said then took a sip from his drink, "And as for how I came to this position...I worked for it. Served our Head-pledge to Ringo-all through my colthood, always loyal, never a time to rest, and when dear Ringo decided that my powers had come to their peak, she began training me."
Thunderclap's eyes, a very bright blue against his black coat, seemed to suck Tealove into his words, to transfix her so she could only hear his words as he continued.
"Ringo worked me for years. I fought for where I am, and eventually I rose above the others until our Head-pledge to Ringo-thought I worthy of this honor. Now, dear Tealove, listen carefully."
It was out of fear that Tealove didn't look away of move even one muscle.
Thunderclap spoke softly this time, clearly with words that pierced, but were soft, "The only way to get something in this world is to work for it, to fight for it, and if you're one who does not have the fire within them to fight, then kindle that fire now or nothing in this world or the next will ever be yours."
And then he turned back to his food and that was that.
Tealove just sat there, stunned, then she realized she'd been leaning forward and was on the verge of falling off her seat. She quickly repositioned herself then quietly, voice a bit raspy, stuttered, "Uh..Mister..I mean Thunderclap..I've heard rumors of a-a-a hostage here. A prisoner..is that true?"
Then Thunderclap froze. His neck snapped to pierce Tealove with a death stare, his eyes sucking her in, making it feel as if her very insides were being thrust from her, her mind was becoming a blur, the world was just a colored smear, she was seeing flashes of Queen Chrysalis, the cloaked stallion, Celestia being stabbed, explosions, her parents, her insides were twisting like they were being wrung out of all her memories-
"Tealove!"
The mare's eyes snapped open.
She was in a dimly lit room on a sofa. The lounge. Nopony else but her and a worried Flare was in the room. Tealove's mane, the do that Bon-Bon had worked so hard to perfect, was not mussed. (And yes, that's what I'm worrying about right now.)
"Oh, Tealove, what happened to you?" Flare asked, exasperated (kind of reminds me of a certain pink and blue maned mare I know..), "You totally passed out! Was it something you ate? I had to pretend you'd drunk too much cider to get those ponies off my back! Thankfully they're all busy at the dance now.."
"Ugh," Tealove moaned (it happened. Again.), "How long has it been?"
"Not too long, don't worry," the stallion brushed away her question, "If I were you, I'd worry about what just happened more. Did you just faint? Thunderclap was about to take you up stairs for some tending to, but I got to you first," he looked quite proud of himself, "He was really mad afterwards too. No clue why, but he was."
Tealove was suddenly feeling sick. She was wondering herself what had just happened. She had asked about Luna being held prisoner, then...she had to get out of there.
"I'm sorry," Tealove forced the words from her tight throat, "but I think I should be leaving."
"Wait!" Flare cried when Tealove heaved herself from the sofa and began trotting wobbly towards the music pumping from the dance floor, "You..can't leave yet! The night's only begun and..."
Tealove slowed to a stop to let her mind refocus the world and to let her twisting insides settle down, "I know..but you saw what happened. I shouldn't be out tonight."
"Wait," Flare hurried to Tealove's side and caught hold of her hoof, "Can we..at least dance before you go? Just one, then you can go home."
Tealove felt her face burning up and was glad they hadn't stepped out of the lounge's dimness yet, "Well..I don't want Thunderclap to..see me again..."
"Please?"
(His eyes were doing the begging thing again. Can't...resist...stop being dramatic, hay bag, before I slap you.)
"Oh," Tealove sighed, "I guess one wouldn't hurt."
Flare whole face instantly lit up, "Brilliant! I mean..thank you."
Tealove let herself smile as she was led into the lights and energy of the dance floor, but then, just as the two were stepping into the crowd, the upbeat music faded away and (what is to come on but-!) a slow song took its place. (No! I can't do this! I need Bon-Bon! And Big Mac! And my mini cupcake tins! Anything but this song, but the memories of dad...)
Flare smiled as Tealove struggled to conceal her expression of horror, "Come on," he grinned, "you've made it this far, so there's no turning back now!"
The ponies around them were rising to their hind legs and as the lights dimmed to just a glimmer, Tealove suddenly felt a hoof on her hip. The another took her free hoof.
"I..I don't know how-" Tealove began as her mind was be weighed down by memory of her first slow dance at the father-daughter social, but Flare lifted her to her hind legs before she could finish, and before she knew it, he was leading her through the very steps she'd taken with her dad.
Tealove watched her hooves prance to the beat, and when she suddenly could herself feeling confident, she dared herself to gaze up at Flare. He was smiling at her, dark eyes watching as she stumbled less and less, as the thought of misery were swept away. All Tealove could hear was the music, all she could think was peace and all he could feel was Flare's touch against hers.
Before she knew it, Tealove was twirling away with the music, her mane flying behind her like a ballerina's ribbon, her mind free from the world, from her past, and for once in long time, Tealove had nothing to worry about. It was just her and the music. Her and the dance floor. Her and Flare. (This is almost as amazing as the time I made two thousand mini bunt cakes in a day for my cousin's wedding and got my cutie mark for taking charge in a kitchen where just about everything had gone wrong..until I'd drifted away with the baking...and that's how it felt with the dancing.) The two ponies spiraled and pranced, skipped and stomped to upbeat tunes and Tealove quickly adapted to being lifted and spun in the air,to feeling the flutter of her heart as she joined the other mares being raised to the sky in a musical flurry of manes and dresses.
Even though dancing seemed like the thing that should have caused her second cutie mark (if that's possible) Tealove was surprised to suddenly find her hooves sore and Flare took her momentarily to the bar for a break so she could catch her breath. (Sweet Celestia, what one song can do to you!)
"We'll have two lemon raspberry ciders," Flare told the bar mare as Tealove panted, light headed from the exhilaration that hammered her heart double time.
"That..was amazing," she breathed out a laugh.
Flare chuckled, "I don't know what you were so worried about. You're as light on your hooves as a deer!"
Tealove stirred her drink the bar tender had just set in front of her and grinned, exhausted, at the swirling red lemon liquid in the glass, "Thanks...I think you're the one to give credit to though. I would be home asleep right now..if you hadn't dragged me out there."
"I'd say 'dragged' is a bit of an exaggeration," Flare reasoned, "but yah. I get you."
"And I sort of get you too," Tealove whispered while biting down on her straw.
Flare grinned, "Only sort of?"
Tealove laughed so she didn't have to answer that one.
****************************
The rest of the night (plus three hours into the morning) was spent dancing, trying and critiquing the served desserts (they were good, but I could have made better eclairs), chatting over varieties of cider (honestly, Flare probably spent all three of his piggy banks on drinks), resting from the bustling party in the lounge, exploring the other rooms on the down stairs level (like the waterfall room! We 'accidentally' fell into that one and ended up going swimming even though there was a sign that said not to), competing against other couples in a million random games, (my favorite was probably the paint Twister. Yah, that got messy fast, but no worries, I took off my dress for that one! And the pie eating contest. And the pudding pictionary), and singing along on the dance floor sidelines to their favorite songs.
It was at three thirty in the morning that Tealove, for the first time since they parted, spotted Bon-Bon. She was at the bar, sitting with a stallion who looked awfully mussed and had about six cider glasses in front of him. He looked quite groggy and...like he wasn't aware of what he was saying or doing. (Yah, we'll just put it that way.)
"An' I was'n supposed ta tell, bu'..," the stallion was saying when Tealove and Flare approached.
"Don't worry about a thing," Bon-Bon replied ever so sweetly, "your secret's safe with me."
"Bon-Bon!" Tealove exclaimed and hurried to join the two, but stopped o stare at the swaying stallion who was still glugging down cider, "Who's that?"
"'M Capt'n!" the stallion blubbered.
Tealove took a step closer to Bon-Bon who stifled a laugh,
"That's the Broke warrior's captain," she explained in a whisper, "I sort of freaked out when he told me the Brokes have troops stationed at every city, but along with that, I've got loads to tell you. He was pretty easy to handle, thankfully. I just bought him a few ciders and got instant access to all the Broke secrets I wanted."
"All of them?" Tealove marveled, then glanced at the captain and raised her eyebrows at Bon-Bon, "You call that a few ciders?"
"Okay, not all of them," Bon-Bon confessed, "but a lot, and let me tell you, all you need to do is order an extra fizz to the drink and that numbs right up their senses!"
Tealove grinned, "Right. I'll remember that..but it also helps when somepony is nice enough to dress you up fancy so that ever stallion is dying to spill their secrets to you."
Bon-Bon flipped her mane of her shoulder, "You like it? Thanks. One of my weird friends did it for me."
Tealove scowled teasingly and head butted Bon-Bon in the shoulder who was laughing until she spotted Flare.
"Oh, who's that?" she grinned mischievously.
"Oh yah. This is Flare! Flare, Bon-Bon," Tealove quickly introduced as the two ponies greeted each other.
"Nice to meet you," the stallion nodded, "Who's your companion?"
"Oh," Bon-Bon said as if she'd totally forgotten about the captain still mumbling into his cider glass, "this is..Fred Va-"
"'M Cap'n!
The ponies took a step back.
"Ah," Flare said, "Nice to meet him."
"So where's Big Mac?" Tealove asked, seeing that her friend was alone.
"Oh, he's being that wonderful undercover player he's so good at being," Bon-Bon simply (more like confusingly) replied.
"He's-wait, what?" but then Tealove spotted him.
Big Mac was on the dance floor, (looked an awful lot like James Blond) completely surrounded by swooning mares, pushing each other out of the way to get the stallion's attention. Tealove felt a fiery heat bubbling up to her cheeks.
"What does he think he's-!" she began hotly, but Bon-Bon quickly explained,
"Oh, calm down. He does this on all our missions. This is how he get information-by being his handsome self and tricking mares into telling him everything they know. Honestly, Tealove, he'd never do that on normal circumstances."
(Sorry, Bon-Bon. Too busy wanting to attack that mare trying to make out with Big Mac...or wanting to beat up Big Mac. I can't decide.)
"'M Cap'n o' the wooooooorld!"
Tealove jumped and had to control herself form screaming. (Sweet Celestia, I forgot he was there!)
"Uh..," Bon-Bon stifled a giggle, "Well, Captain, I think it best be time for me to go now. I wish you best of luck...ruling the world. Bye!"
"Why oo leaving, pretty pony?" Tealove, Bon-Bon and Flare heard the stallion cry as they trotted away. The two mares giggled.
"Well, I'll go get Big Mac," Bon-Bon volunteered herself, "All those lovers will be so mad when I trot back, linking arms with him, but while I'm gone, you two can say our last good byes, then we'll be off!"
"'K," Tealove sighed, then it was just her and Flare. The stallion sighed.
"Tonight's been amazing," Tealove whispered, "I can't remember a time I had this much fun..and thanks...for everything."
"Yah," he breathed, and just when Tealove took her eyes away from his, she felt a hoof take hers. It was Flare's.
"I'll miss you," his words tickled Tealove's ear.
The mare felt herself blushing, and her heart swelled, "Me too...and even though we just met..I feel like.."
"Like I've known you before," Flare took the words right off her tongue, "I'll be sure to write..if you promise to write back."
Flare's eyes, though so dark, seemed to glow. Tealove felt his sweet breath on her face, felt his hoof tuck her mane back. She was getting too close-way too close to him-that personal space bubble had been broken almost forever ago. She let her eyes drift to a close, she felt as if she could feel her very soul combining with Flare's. She hadn't felt anything like this before...not since her dad passed...not since her mom died....Tealove felt her insides twisting, twirling to the rhythm of Flare's heartbeat, and then they-
"Tealove!"
And it all broke.
"What do you think you're-Tealove!" Bon-Bon was shrieking, a stunned Big Mac by her side, and without hesitation, Bon-Bon stormed up and dragged Tealove away from Flare and towards the door.
"Wait-Bon-Bon! You're making a scene!" Tealove angrily said and was about to turn back to say good bye to Flare, but he was no longer visible through the crowd of Brokes.
"You can't just-Tealove!" Bon-Bon tried to scold, but only managed to end in exasperation.
"Leaving so soon?" a stallion at the door asked, but Bon-Bon stomped right past him, and soon the three ponies were alone in the small pitch blank stone chamber that separated them from the bustle of Las Pegasus and the party of the Brokes.
"Okay, Tealove. What do you think you're doing, kissing a colt you just met?!" Bon-Bon cried, "Girl, seriously, do you have any common sense?"
"First of all, we did not kiss!" Tealove pretty much shouted in the direction of Bon-Bon's voice, "And second, even though we just met...well, I didn't know! When's the right time to kiss somepony, huh, Bon-Bon? How am I supposed to know? I haven't had friends..or parents for five years now!! I'm sorry that I'm so clueless! Do tell me next time how to live my life because obviously I don't know how!!!"
Tealove's voice echoed through the small, moist chamber for quite some time. Even after the sound faded away, there was silence. Suddenly, Tealove wanted to cry. (How could I have done this? I hadn't thought at about Big Mac and Bon-Bon. What kind of friend am I? I don't even know how to be one. I probably just ruined any friendship I had anyways..so...)
"If I had super powers..to see in the dark," Tealove's teary voice broke the silence, "I would hug you two...just so you know."
It was either Bon-Bon or Big Mac who sighed next. (Yah, I couldn't tell.)
"I'm sorry," Bon-Bon whispered, "I should have thought it through."
"Yup," Big Mac wearily chimed in.
"Everything's fine," Tealove assured them, shaking off her tears and the weight that pressed on her in the dark, "So..what all did you two find out? Anything about Luna?"
"Nope," Big Mac sighed, "No mares have heard anything."
"Well, I heard quite a few things," Bon-Bon replied cheerfully, "Like how that Thunderclap stallion can read minds and how there have been strict rules put to keep ponies out of the up stairs level because of, what the Captain said was their 'caught treasure', and I bet that's Princess Luna. Did you pick up anything, Tealove?"
"No, I-" but then something in her mind clicked into place, "Wait...when I was eating dinner and asked Thunderclap about the rumors of a hostage, he..gave me this death stare that made it feel like..my insides were being sucked out. Then I passed out. Was he-?"
Bon-Bon suddenly gasped, "He was reading your mind! That means he knows you're part of the Clandestine! And if he got far enough in, he probably knows that you're Sweet Pea!"
Tealove's heart instantly started racing, "What are we going to do?!"
"We'll get out of here, that's what we'll do for now," Bon-Bon firmly replied, "And then we'll need to sneak in here tomorrow night...to rescue the Princess. Come on, ponies, let's get out of here."
Tealove wasn't sure how, but with one burst of flying sparkles, Bon-Bon activated the exit to morph into a door. When the ponies trotted out, Tealove was surprised to find herself glad to see the puddles, trash cans and brick wall of the alley. The wall behind them melted back into its disguise, then they turned to begin walking down the alley way when-
KA-CRACK.
Something flew through the air so fast and so loud, it shook the street lamp above.
"What was-"
Bon-Bon screamed. Big Mac was on the ground, bleeding. The blood was spilling from a small hole in his shoulder. Her very soul seemed to twist at the sight and Tealove shrieked.
"Thought you could get away," a voice from up the alley whispered, soft but fierce, and when Tealove whipped around, a black shadow was looming ahead. A pegasus. But there was something floating at his side. No, that was no shadow.
"Well, looks like tonight will be more exciting then I thought...," the shine of a gun pierced Tealove's eyes as a stallion slowly stepped closer to the two mares standing, frozen, as Big Mac struggled to breath. Tealove's heart was pounding so hard, she could barely hear, was sure that her ribs would soon break or that she'd faint and give herself to an imminent death.
"Well, nopony's going to save you now," Thunderclap snarled," No stallion at your side. No Celestia. Well, I guess it's just me and the ladies...won't be too hard."
The trigger on his gun clicked. Bon-Bon flinched. The gun was instantly aimed at her.
"Look who's volunteering," the black pegasus smirked, "Off with you then. I wanted to keep the other one alive anyways...Say goodbye to your precious-"
"TEALOVE, GO!!!"
The alley instantly exploded with the sound of gunshots. Tealove felt a sudden burning in her leg. She ran, the bullets seemed to blind her, she couldn't see Bon-Bon, Big Mac was dead-then the bullets stopped. Then she spotted Bon-Bon. Thunderclap had her by the scruff of her mane. The gun was shoved up her neck, the trigger ready to pull.
"Oh, tut, tut," Thunderclap hissed, "The dear damsels in distress. I knew there was no chance in a couple of mares beating such a stallion as I, but-"
"STOP IT!!" Tealove screamed, "PUT HER DOWN!"
"Oh, dear, but I don't want to," Thunderclap whimpered, then his face curled into an evil grin, "Agree to come with me and I'll let her go."
"Don't-!" but the gun that was further shoved into Bon-Bon's throat kept her from speaking more.
Tealove was bubbling with rage. What else could she do?
"Fine."
But Bon-Bon wasn't released.
"I SAID FINE!!!"
"Oh, such loyal mares, such weak ponies," Thunderclap went on, "Protecting your friend's life over your own? Why would you do such a thing? Weak. That's why. Mares wouldn't have such courage to make sacrifices. Mares like you don't stand a chance int the world. Dear Tealove, you belong at home. Taking care of family. Making pies. Cleaning. What worth have you or any mare in this world?"
"Shut up."
"Weak. That's what you are. Couldn't outdo a stallion in anything. Useless. How are the kids, anyway? Leave them home with a babysitter so you could try and fail to have a go at this world? Such a pity. Mares like you. Dead in their homes, that's where they belong. Let the real ponies of the world do the work, dear, and tell me later how the knitting and baking and your useless, weakling life is-"
Suddenly, it was as if everything was let out. All the anger, the hate, and then the alley exploded with light, Tealove's whole body went numb, she felt as is her whole system was being clenched, twisted, making her sick beyond puking, then the sound of screaming, bellowing, gunshots, then Tealove knew for sure that they were all dead.
Glowing, whipping Tealove's mane and tail furiously from side to side. Energy, electric, magic flowing, flooding, coursing through through her veins like ice cold fire that burned and shook her to the bone. Sickening sweet, glorious misery. Tealove was flying, floating just above the alley's stone floor, surrounded by a ball of swirling magic, healing hurt, stabbing pain, tears flew from her eyes that now had glowing irises, shining a blinding blue through the dark early hours in Las Pegasus. It was almost as if she was on the verge of transforming, being recreated, but the one thing that was dying to change Tealove was stuck just behind her skull. But even without that one prick spilling from her, Tealove was still gushing an aura that blinded her attacker, Thunderclap, and her captured friend, Bon-Bon. (I would have mentioned Big Mac, but he was too busy bleeding out on the floor to realize what was happening. Plus I think he'd fainted.)
"PUT HER DOWN!!" Tealove's voice shook through the alley, but even that didn't wipe the smirk off Thunderclap's face.
"Oh, please, dear mare," he sneered, "Two can play at this game."
The stallion threw Bon-Bon to the side and when she collided with the brick wall, iron bands of magic flew out and stopped the mare from struggling. Then Thunderclap roared. His wings flew out, electricity crackled to the tips of his feathers, his eyes glowed white, he was lifted off the ground into a blinding aura of his own, then Thunderclap was level with Tealove, cackling madly as his opponent's heart went racing, but this time it was from rage.
"Let's see just how well Celestia trained you with THIS!!"
Thunderclap's sphere of magic violently shook, rippled, then a giant rush of crackling black light shot out, straight into Tealove's aura. She felt the rattle of his magic fly through her, cutting into her very soul, but she wasn't giving up that easily. Tealove reared on her hind legs, screamed, then her chest flew open, a flood of green gushed towards Thunderclap, emptying out her heart, but at the same time, the stallion shot out another burst of light. The two powers collided, creating a gray splash, Tealove was fighting hers closer to Thunderclap, forcing out every particle of magic she could, but his darkness was drawing closer, surging through Tealove's body as it did, shaking her very bones.
She couldn't hold it.
She had to. Tears streamed from her eyes, pain surged though her soul, the dark was coming closer, and then-
"AHAHAHAHAH!" Thunderclap roared as Tealove crashed to the ground, "Idiot mare! Did you really think-!"
A sharp jet of green stabbed straight through Thunderclap's magic, striking him in the chest and sending him to the ground.
Tealove was on her hooves, cut and bleeding, but still surging with power. Her insides were screaming, but all she managed to do was whisper, "I do think so."
Thunderclap gasped for air, but quickly rose again to his hooves, "Oh please, magic can be used my anypony. Come, show me what else you can fail at!!"
The stallion summoned his gun, tossing one just like it towards Tealove. She caught it as if she was a unicorn, levitating at her side.
"On your mark, get set-"
KA-CRACK.
"TEALOVE!" Bon-Bon shrieked. The mare had been shot, bullet in the head, but her body was was still streaming with magic, the light spiraling around her limbs, and almost instantly, the bullet hole in her forehead closed, totally healed.
Thunderclap was glued to the spot, but only for a moment, then her roared, rose to his hind legs and charged.
"TEALOVE, MOVE!!!"
Gunshots exploded through the air. Tealove was running, aiming clumsily at Thunderclap who was shooting with perfect direction. Tealove swerved around the alley, crashing into walls, trampling trash cans. Her mind ached. She could barely sense the trigger as she ran. Her magic was growing weary.
KA-BLAM.
CRACK.
Tealove dove behind a trash can. Her mind was blank. Adrenaline was the only thing spurring her on, along with the cracks of magic still rattling though her body. Sweat, grime and blood. Heart striking in her chest. Head a throbbing drum.
PING.
A bullet bounced off the wall Tealove was pressed against. Her mind gripped her gun, she took the chance and quickly peeked around the trash can, then she willed the trigger and a series of cracking bullets flew across the alley. She flung herself back into hiding, peeked over the top, shot three bullets, pressed closer to the freezing metal. Then silence. He wasn't shooting back. (He must be waiting.)
Tealove peeked back out the side, gun at the ready, then-
KA-PINK.
She pulled back just in time to feel her cheek burning. The bullet had grazed her face. She was now bleeding under her eyes. Tealove was done with thinking.
The mare charged from her hiding place.
"Finally found the courage to stop your whimpering in the corner?" Thunderclap laughed, then he shot and Tealove came tumbling to the floor. Her front leg stung, throbbed, bled, it was pain beyond tears. But she didn't fire back.
"No," Thunderclap began a stampede at Tealove who had made it to Bon-Bon was then bucking madly at the iron bindings, "NO!"
"Tealove!" Bon-Bon cried as her friend shoved her behind a trash can, but Tealove wasn't risking Bon-Bon's life anymore.
"Think mares can't do anything in this world?" Tealove shouted as Thunderclap drew nearer, and even though he shot, the bullets simply bounced off the air surrounding his victim, "Think we're useless?!!"
Thunderclap skid to a stop. He'd run out of bullets. Tealove was rising into the air again, eyes shining a blinding white. Her gun fell to the floor, splashed into a puddle, her breath was heavy, savage, an aura of white wisp green acted as her protecting from all of Thunderclap's desperate spells.
"Well," Tealove roared, "at least we're not MURDERERS!!!"
The aura spun into a stream, flooded itself onto Thunderclap, the stallion cried out, the light shot through the alley so forcefully that even Bon-Bon fell. Then in a blink of an eye, the morning was dark.
Thunderclap was sprawled on the floor, wings tattered and bent in odd directions, his weapon had shattered, then four shaking hooves landed on the stone ground and Tealove collapsed.
"Tealove!" Bon-Bon rushed to her side, "Oh my-please tell me you're okay."
Tealove's mind was a blank slate. It was as if she'd been struck dumb. Her closed eyes twitched. Every muscle shook, veins popped, pain and agony. But victory.
Tealove rose to her hooves and painfully opened her eyes. The world was slightly blurry, but she knew who was squeezing her into teary hug.
The mare stared at Thunderclap's motionless body. She trotted to his side. He was still breathing. She could have killed him. She could have, but she didn't. She wasn't a murderer. Instead, Tealove dragged the stallion into the pitch black stone chamber, closed the door and let it morph back into a wall. Then she turned to where Big Mac was bleeding, breathing, but unconscious.
"We..have to get out of here," she panted, but Bon-Bon was slower to get down to business (well, that's new).
"Wait-Tealove-you...you unlocked your magic," she stared, "How did you do that? Without training? And that..."
But Tealove was too busy trying to find a way to carry Big Mac to listen. Her knees buckled under his weight, but she forced the strength from her.
"Here," Bon-Bon quickly came to her assistance, "Let me.." then she simply levitated the stallion with her pink glow.
"Thank...s..," Tealove was suddenly feeling faint. The world was growing distant, her blurred vision was becoming tunneled. Then Bon-Bon's voice became muffled and Tealove crashed to the ground, barely able to breath.
*******************************************
"Oh, Go-go, you flatter me!" Queen Chrysalis forced a laugh, "I always knew you'd be a great Equestrian Queen, but with me as your right hoof mare? Oh, I'm speechless!"
In the crude dining room of the Changling palace, Chrysalis sat at the small, round and hole covered table across from a mare of her size and build only totally covered in a sweeping white hooded cloak.
"Don't get too excited, dear," the mare returned in a drawling, fake sickly sweet voice, "We still have a long way's to go."
"Oh, please," Queen Chrysalis waved away her guest's words, "Equestria is just a hop, skip and flutter from where we are now! Soon enough, Ringo."
The mare called Ringo stayed silent, her emotions concealed in the shadows of her hood, then she whispered, "I want her."
"Her? Well, yes, in the end-"
"The other one," Ringo drawled, "Her. Then everything else will quickly fall into place."
"Why not the colt?" Chrysalis suggested, "He'd be much more a secret weapon, don't you think?"
"No," Ringo replied slowly, "The bond of sisterhood is much stronger than any fancy of love. Obviously you wouldn't know."
"Well, excuse me," Chrysalis shot back hotly, "I'm sure you wouldn't know love if it kissed you right on the lips!"
"This is no time to fight, Chrysi," Ringo soothed, "We have work to do...so are the prisoners to your taste?"
The Changling Queen licked at her fangs, "Oh, yes. Very. And I look forward to a little something new..and this will be number three, yes? Well, that seals the deal. In just a few days you'll be lucky enough to posses the dominating powers I have. Isn't that exciting?"
Tealove knew she needed to get out. To escape from Chrysalis's castle before the two mares found her..wait, Ringo? That was Ringo? Then what were they...(I have to get out...run...)
Tealove groaned. Her whole body ached. Her head especially. It was a struggle just to think, to sort out what had just happened and try to figure out where she was. (Warm..soft...oh. I'm in bed. Again. And of course there's a wet towel soaking my face. Duh.)
Her eyes fluttered open, the world blurry at first, but as she blinked, it returned to focus and soon enough, Tealove was gazing up at a pony she'd never seen before, dazed.
"Whabbu oo?" she blubbered.
"She's awake," the stallion above her reported to which a series of sighs and cries of relief from off to the side sounded.
"Should I go tell Sugar Kiss? It's a little early, but she was worried sick last night," Bon-Bon, who suddenly came into view, asked, "We're just so glad you replied to our call, Astra."
"Well, what was I supposed to do?" the stallion who stood near Tealove joked, putting a hoof around a worried Bon-Bon and kissing her cheek, "Just ignore your call and trot off like I didn't just hear about some ponies down the street who were bleeding out in their hotel room?"
Bon-Bon let a small smile spread across her pinking face.
That's when Tealove began to come to her senses a bit more.
"What is...who's that?" she mumbled, struggling to sit up.
"The name's Astra, miss Tealove," the stallion replied, taking a quick bow then propped up Tealove's pillows so she could lean back, "At your service, m'lady!"
(That only confused me even more.)
"Is...Big Mac okay?"
"Yep."
Then Big Mac himself came trotting over, his shoulder heavily wrapped in bandages, but other than that, he looked almost perfect.
"Are you okay?" he quietly asked, ducking his head so his eyes were level with Tealove's.
She nodded, biting on the bed sheets, but Big Mac didn't seem to believe it and rubbed his head briefly against Tealove's bandaged arm. Her heart suddenly and most unusually swelled.
“I’ll go get Sugar Kiss,” Bon-Bon whispered then pulled away from Astra and galloped out the door.
“Well, I do believe it’s been another hour,” the white stallion announced, “Time for another dose!”
(Ugh, really? Medicine?) But instead of a gross grape liquid, Astra produced form under the bandanna around his neck a small plastic wrapped yellow and blue swirled cube.
"It's Sun Ambrosia," Astra explained as he unwrapped the mystery medicine, "Made from the crisp morning sun, the glimmering moonlight and spring clouds. It's what helps heal Children of the Sky."
The stallion shook his short mane, which was a mix of the sparkling colors orange, pink, purple and dark blue (that reminded me of Princess's hair only sun set style and without the flowyness), then fixed Tealove with a sky blue stare.
"Is it really-?"
"Just eat it," he said when Tealove tried to stall, "I promise it will help, and you'll thank me later, m'lady."
Tealove took the cube. It reminded her of corn bread that had been left to soak in a pool of honey. It was a little sticky, squishy and bread like and Tealove had to force herself to take a bite because at the sight of food, she'd for some reason started feeling sick.
(Sweet Celestia, that Sun Ambrosia is better than any cake or pastry I've ever made!)
Not only did the Ambrosia taste like the wet silence of night, the warm mornings of summer and the first rain of spring that melted on your tongue (I figured that cotton candy-like part was the clouds), it also sent shivers of renewed energy into Tealove's body and left her feeling refreshed and relaxed (not too mention hungry for more).
"Better miss?" Astra grinned at Tealove's reaction.
She sunk back blissfully into the pillows, "Better."
"Tealove!!" Sugar Kiss suddenly burst into the room, Bon-Bon close behind her.
She ran to Tealove's bedside looking wold and restless, her green mane back in a frizzy bun, glasses falling down her muzzle.
"Oh, bloody hay, bloody hay. Are you okay? You scared me to death! Oh, the bloody stallion who did this to you-I'll slit his thoat!"
"Using so much magic all at once drained you energy," Astra explained, "I would advise at least another three hours of rest off your hooves. By then, the Sun Ambrosia will have renewed most of your strength, but you'll be weak for quite a while. Since it was your first time unlocking your powers, your mind was overworked and was pretty blown."
"Especially since you haven't had any training," Bon-Bon added.
Tealove shifted uneasily, wanting the spotlight to be taken off of her, but also glancing towards Sugar Kiss "Um...should we be..talking about this?"
"Oh, right!" the British mare laughed, "I forgot you didn't know. I'm part of the Clandestine too, so no worries."
"Oh," Tealove was stunned at first, but then she sighed with relief, taking the hock warmer Sugar Kiss wore as proof of her words "Oh... good."
Then she gazed at her bedside table scattered with various items such as Sun Ambrosia plastic wraps, Tealove's communication pearl that had been disguised as earrings the night before, her blue dress that was now tattered and torn and a scroll-sealed with the Clandestine emblem.
"What's that?" she asked, nodding toward the roll of parchment.
"Oh," Astra's eyes instantly glowed, making the scroll float to his side, "I almost forgot. It's a letter form Celestia, replying to the one Bon-Bon sent after she'd called for me." (Uh..those glowing eyes aren't creepy at all.)
"We wanted to read it to you," Bon-Bon said, "because...most of it is for you."
(The Princess wants to talk to me? Again? Thought she'd be sick of me by now.)
Astra cleared his throat dramatically then began reading aloud the letter,
"My dear Sweetie Drops,
When Astra comes to you, be sure that each of you have a dose of Sun Ambrosia. I wish more than anything that I could be there
to help, but I believe you can trust Astra with Maximus and Sweet Pea's health.
The answers to your question-you ask why Sweet Pea has been seeing things. I believe that when she first come in contact with
Maximus, the magic within her was finally triggered and she began to unleash her birth powers. It seems that hers is centered in
the mind. This is one of the most powerful and dangerous gifts, so my words to Sweet Pea are this: though your mind has taken
you places you wouldn't dare imagine, it will only grow more and more intense. You must control it. You have power over
yourself and you must not allow yourself to be imprisoned in these visions.
I am recovering quickly, yes, but you mustn't worry over me. Take care of and center yourselves on what is most important.
I have faith in you, all of you, and you have done what not any other threesome could have done. Sweetie Drops, live in the
present and focus on now. Maximus, the is a time and place for everything, and my Sweet Pea, you are stronger than you think.
Don't underestimate yourself, but remember what your limits are.
I know you will succeed. Keep the faith and I readily await your return.
Your Princess,
~Celestia"
The scroll made a snapping noise as it flew up to reroll itself. Astra set it back on the table and blinked until his eyes returned to normal.
"So I should be trying to stop myself from seeing things?" Tealove quietly asked.
"I know this isn't my business," Sugar Kiss cut in, "but I know a few ponies with powerful minds such as yours. I think what the Princess is trying to say is to not get sucked into them. Don't dwell on what you see-it might not always be true-and make sure you don't get stuck in them."
"Stuck in them?" Bon-Bon echoed.
"Yes," Sugar Kiss confirmed, "I had a friend like you, Tealove..I mean..Sweet Pea. She had visions, but couldn't control herself and it became so often that one day, she was sucked into one, transported somewhere else, and never seen again."
(Oh, great job on comforting me, guys!)
"Don't worry, miss Sweet," Astra tried to sooth her, "The Princess said that you're stronger than you think-surely strong enough to control your own mind."
Tealove's stomach was still churning though, clenched with nerves.
"We won't let that happen," Big Mac firmly stated, giving Tealove a determined look, "We'll make sure."
Tealove gave him a small, but grateful smile, "Thanks everypony."
For the next three hours (unfortunately) Astra stayed to make sure Tealove was kept in bed and had hourly doses of Sun Ambrosia. The others chatted, mostly with Sugar Kiss about their mission and why they'd come to Las Pegasus (it was such a relief to know Sugar Kiss was a Clandestine member-that made talking with her a lot easier and more relaxing). Though Tealove sometimes joined the conversations to correct Bon-Bon on what really happened in the alley with Thunderclap, she found herself struggling with drifting off, not only into sleep, but into a vision.
A dark basement, the caving in ceiling, spider webs, of green goop tangled around corners, skulls and giant insect-like wings, ripped and stuck to the strings like ominous ornaments. The air was wet, thin. Tealove was sure she was underground, the earth beneath was bumpy and glossed over, sending shivers crawling down her spine. She was nearing a corner, a sharp crackling was echoing in the chamber past the turn. Tealove's heart tapped rapidly in her ears, behind her skull, causing her vision to throb and then-
"Oh!" Bon-Bon suddenly exclaimed and burst into laughter, "I-ha! I've always wondered why that was how we activated our communication pearls!"
Sugar Kiss giggled wildly and Astra grinned, "Yes, but points to Discord for actually getting Miss Celestia on a date."
Tealove groggily nodded as if she'd been part of the conversation, but then the voices around her grew muffled and she was swung through space and time back into the chilling, dark cavern.
Tealove took a sharp breath in at the sudden change of scenery then realized she had returned to the bend in the corridor. (Well, thank Celestia I'm not claustrophobic because otherwise this whole thing would be quite suffocating!) Tealove, thankful to know that she wasn't actually exploring through an unknown cave that looked like it have her death sealed on it, curiously turned the corner. The hallway opened into a small chamber about ten stallion wide then Tealove froze.
This new room was fizzing with light, crackling with emerald green lightning that somehow flowed form the earth ceiling, spinning around a holey pedestal where a golden and ruby ring floated amidst the electricity. Tealove stared, mesmerized by the process, ignoring and pushing back the voices she knew was coming from the hotel room, the jerking behind her skull that dared her to return to the present, but for once, Tealove wanted to stay put.
The blood red gem glimmered in the flickering light, the ring ever so slowly spinning as it sapped up the energy created by the electric green shock that ran up the ring and was absorbed by the jewel. Tealove wanted to touch it, to share the power even though her brain was logically explaining all the reasons not to (it'll shock you to death, hay bag, so back off! You're not even really here, so you can't touch it even if you wanted to. Hey, no touchy the things that aren't yours, remember what you daycare teacher said? Keep your hooves, horns and wings to yourself....then again, imagine how it would feel. If a ring can handle all that power, of course you can. So go ahead, I'm sure it's fine! Completely safe! What did that daycare mare know anyway?)
(Yah, I guess the devil on my shoulder is just so much more fun to listen to than the angel. Oh well.)
Right as Tealove was about to enter the spinning circle of lightning though, a voice echoed through the cave. One coming from a corridor opposite to the one Tealove had trotted through. The mare froze until the roar faded away, then she was sure everything was fine and resumed to draw nearer to the ruby ring, crackling, reflecting in Tealove's eyes, causing her very soul to crave it power and-
"Idiots!" the same voice rumbled through the cave. This time, Tealove instantly recognized it-Chrysalis.
"Oh, please, that excuse is older than Celestia herself!" the shriek shook the wall, striking Tealove's heart with the fear of dying under a collapsed dirt pile (just remember you're actually safe in bed..in bed, guarded by Big Mac and Astra and-I'm gonna die!!)
Tealove cowered on the ground, the wet earth pressed hard against her face, the screams and quaking surrounding her like a fist, clenching and twisting at her heart, but then the noise slowed to a stop. Tealove didn't even have the time to get up before Queen Chrysalis stormed into the room, snarling with rage and breathing as if she'd just galloped across all of Equestria. The Changling Queen paced for a moment ,but seemed to calm down at the sight of the ruby ring floating above the pedestal.
When the mare didn't explode into rage, Tealove thought it finally safe to rise to her hooves and began brushing herself off when Queen Chrysalis froze. Tealove shook her coat free from mud then froze too (if I'm not really here, than why can I feel...?)
Tealove didn't dare move too quickly, but slowly turned her head to look for the reason why Chrysalis had froze, but nopony else was in the room. (Perhaps something about the ring?) Then the mares' eyes locked. Tealove went stiff. Queen Chrysalis stared for what felt like an eternity of questions, impulses to run and the dreaded thoughts of what might happen if Tealove was actually in that cavern...
Slowly, a wicked, smug, evil grin spread across the Queen's face. A laugh floated out from her throat, then she took a step back, gave Tealove one last glance, and left the room. Tealove stood glued to the spot. (Did she see me? Or is she just one of those derpy ponies who stare off into space and smile?) She was ready to return home now-anywhere but within a thousand miles of Queen Chrysalis would be perfect, and thankfully-
"Miss Tealove! There's a letter for you! Again."
Tealove was quickly wrenched from the caverns and was relieved to find herself warm under her covers.
"Huh?" she asked as she struggled to focus herself on the present.
"A letter for you," Astra repeated, eyes glowing, a scroll levitated above his head, "And it's time for some more Ambrosia. Hope you don't mind, m'lady, but we fed you some Ambrosia while you slept, and since it's now the third hour, hopefully you'll be good to get back on your hooves."
Tealove decided not to imagine her pony friends stuffing Sun Ambrosia down her throat while she drooled away on her pillows and took the scroll curiously, seeing that its ribbon wasn't sealed with the Clandestine symbol and wondering who it could be from.
Once the parchment unraveled, Tealove instantly knew who had written it simply by glancing at the hoofman ship. Though she'd seen those scrawled words for only one night, Tealove recognized them as Flare's.
"Dear Tealove," it read,
"I'm sorry. For everything. I hope you can forgive me and not happen to 'forget' your promise to write back. I still can't believe what a
night we had though! Did you reach your hotel safely? Sorry if your mare friend is still mad at you-I take full blame. Are you going to be
coming to the next dinner gala? And when is your vacation in Las Pegasus over? Because before you go, I at least have to see you in pony
one last time. Open any time soon?
I can't wait to see your shining eyes again.
~Flare".
Tealove found her heart skipping beats. (How did he-? Oh, whatever, as long as he wrote!)
"Where'd you find this?" Tealove asked Astra once she calmed herself down and revealed her still slightly pink face from behind the parchment.
"We actually didn't find the letter," Sugar Kiss butted in, "The bell hopper stopped by to deliver it."
(Oh yah. I did mention I was staying in the Suites...well, that's better than Flare being a creepy stalker and somehow knowing where I sleep.)
"What is it?" Astra was the first to ask but was then head butted in the chest by Bon-Bon who hissed,
"Addie, don't be snoopy."
Astra innocently grinned and hurried to preform an extravagant bow that brought his muzzle to sweep the carpet in front Bon-Bon's hooves, "My apologies, your Grace. I shall try to contain myself!"
"Oh, get up," Bon-Bon giggled, tugging at Astra's bandanna to bring him back to his hooves.
"Um," Tealove's next question was directed towards Big Mac, though the whole room was listening, "What's with..them?"
The red stallion smirked, "Oh, they're just-"
"So how about that next dose of Sun Ambrosia?" Bon-Bon suddenly but casually interrupted, "Better give her some so we can get this day started!"
"Stop trying to change the subject, Bon-Bon," Tealove pretended to be annoyed, "Big Mac was just about to say-"
"You know, if the Ambrosia isn't taken with in fifteen minutes of the hour, we have to start over with another three," Astra suddenly pointed out, "So let's get the medicine and-"
"They've been goin' out for a year now," Big Mac blurted as Astra hoofed Tealove a cube of Ambrosia, then both Bon-Bon and Astra stopped in mid motion.
"We have not..," Bon-Bon defended, but her voice trailed off and lost its usual force.
"I'd advise you eat that now," Astra quickly filled the silence filled with stifled giggles, so Tealove took her last (unbelievably amazingly delicious) cube of Ambrosia, and within, minutes, she was up and about, trotting with almost full strength and writing Flare back as Astra and Sugar Kiss prepared to leave.
Tealove wrote clumsily (I'm more meant to mix and measure, not write) with Sugar Kiss's stylish pen (from the stationary set she bought me on our day at the mall that was Las Pegasus themed),
"My dear Flare,
Bon-Bon has gotten over herself, don't worry, and don't be sorry! That was practically the best night of my life! I'd love to get together-how about we go out for lunch? I have loads to tell you. Meet me in front of the Las Pegasus Suites at twelve. Can't wait to see you too!" then, in her best curly hoofman ship, Tealove signed her name, scribbling the 'o' into a small heart (oh, aren't I creative?).
"So..how am I supposed to send this off without a return address?" Tealove asked the others as she tied the scroll in a dainty bow, "Or a dragon?"
"I can take it to the bell hopper if you like," Sugar Kiss volunteered as she slipped on her hock warmers she'd stripped off earlier, making sure to fully cover her Clandestine branding.
"Hopefully he knows what to do with it," Tealove mumbled as she hoofed over the scroll.
"See you soon," Astra whispered, pecking Bon-Bon on the cheek, then her turned to the others, "Been a pleasure, m'ladies! And Big Mac," and after one last round of good byes, the ponies parted. Then the three were alone for the first time in what felt like forever. Tealove realized a bit, now free to itch her bandaged leg since Astra was gone.
"Okay," Bon-Bon quickly got down to business, trotting across the room towards her bed, "time to fill you in on everything you missed out on from sleeping.
The mare fished around under her pillow then took out a roll of parchment sealed with the Clandestine emblem, "This is from our Covert Agent under cover in the Broke headquarters. Tonight, she's requested that we come for an information exchange, the details we need to know in order to rescue Princess Luna."
"We can't go back!" Tealove cried, "What about Thunderclap? He almost killed us last time!"
"Oh, stop screaming," Bon-Bon irritably waved Tealove away, "We're some of Celestia's top Covert Agents! Sneaking past mass murderers is what we live to do."
Tealove didn't find that reassuring though and just the thought of Thunderclap sent chills and pricks of nausea through the mare's body, leaving her with the sick surprise of how exactly they were going to get past him
"You're not serious?!" Tealove couldn't manage to hold back a shriek of laughter, "That thing was-how could you?!"
Flare was gasping for air as he laughed, trying to calm himself down enough to speak, ""I know,..but I..stop laughing or..I can't stop!!"
Then the two burst into a fresh fit of laughter, shaking and tearing up over the foot long sandwich they'd been sharing and wolfing down until Flare began telling the most embarrassing memory from his colthood (which included a half decapitated turkey that had come to his class as a guest speaker, three cherry-grape juice boxes and a massive flood of frosted animal crackers).
Following that eventful lunch, Tealove and Flare took a stroll through the nearby park where they fed ducks, tried to make sense of cloud shapes, got chased by hungry ducks, raced down the hills, got plummeted with evil ducks, hid in a cherry tree for half an hour, sat on a bench for a while to chat only to be chased out of the park by an angry mob of ducks. Then the two agreed that it seemed like a good time to go back into town for an ice cream stop where they each ordered a three scoop cone that they licked while coming in just in time to see a showing of Henny in the Hill (the best traveling musical through Equestria!).
"Wasn't that amazing?" Tealove blissfully sighed as she and Fare exited the theater, "The costumes were gorgeous, so vibrant, expressive! Ah, I wish I were an actress!"
Flare threw away the tub of popcorn he'd brought for the show, "Um, I guess it was good."
"You guess?!" Tealove shrieked, "Henny of the Hills is the best ever production in the history of ever! And..you know, I think you're the only pony in Equestria who brings popcorn to a musical."
"Hey, I was sitting there for more than an hour," Flare explained matter-of-factly, "therefore I need an x-large tub of bacon and buttered popcorn."
"Ew!" Tealove gave the stallion a shove then laughed as the two trotted down the street. Then, over the crowd of skyscrapers and lights along the horizon, she spotted a clock tower.
"Sweet Celestia!" Tealove gasped, "It's already eight thirty!! Oh my gosh-I need to go!"
"Wait!" Flare's call brought Tealove back into reality and she skid to a stop.
"Sorry!" she quickly trotted back, "I need to stop running off like this."
Flare grinned, "Yah, cause soon you'll be loosing shes and then I'll have to hunt down every mare in Las Pegasus jut to say bye."
"Oh, poor you."
Flare wrapped his hoof around Tealove, ticking a strand of hair behind her ear (cause, you know, that's what they do), gazing into her bright eyes, but at the last second, he seemed to remember something and quickly turned his attention towards the bustling street traffic. Tealove inwardly sighed. She glanced up at Flare's sleek face then gathered enough courage to kiss him lightly on the cheek.
"See you soon," she whispered, grinning on the inside because Flare was the one who didn't know just how soon they'd be seeing each other.
"Bye..oh!" the stallion suddenly brightened, "I forgot! I've got something for you..."
Flare dug into his jacket pockets for a moment then held out a small, velvet box tied with a white sloppy bow (yah, stallions really aren't meant to tie bows).
Tealove held back the urge to giggle and blushed instead, "Ah, thanks, Flare."
"You can't say that til you open it!" he exclaimed as Tealove began unknotting his bow, "What if it's horrible and you hate it and-"
"Oh, Flare!"
In the little box was a pearl necklace, shiny enough for Tealove to look at her reflection.
"Oh, it's wonderful!" she gushed, instantly putting it on, "Thank you!"
"Anything," Flare softly replied, looking a little sheepish, "Glad you like it."
"I love it!" Tealove puffed out her chest to show off the beautiful string of beads, "Ho did yo know pearls are my favorite?"
Flare smiled and shrugged, "Just looked for something that glowed as much as you," and as Tealove's taxi sped back towards her hotel amidst the rush hour traffic (more like the twenty four seven traffic, but sure), she did feel like she glowed.
"I'm back!" Tealove burst into the suites, "Sorry I'm late! I just lost track of time and-"
"Forget it," Bin-Bon head butted Tealove's excuses out the door that she quickly slammed shut, "We've got to get going so hop on that stool and stay put."
But before Tealove could even take a step deeper into the room, Bon-Bon shoved her to the center, placing her on the 'stool' (which was more like a round, futuristic table with streams of neon blue wires that sent blue cracks of electricity through the table).
"Okay," Bon-Bon stood back as if to admire her work then nodded to a nearby Big Mac who was levitating a panel of buttons, levers and dials at his side. (Whoa. Those glowing green eyes though.)
"Guys," Tealove nervously shifted as she soaked in the probable events of the scene (like being shocked to death by this electric table), "Why are the windows bolted sh-?"
"Go!" and on Bon-Bon's cue, the table wires fizzed to life, sending heart beats of lights spinning up the legs, onto the surface where it pooled onto the thin, slightly raised disc Tealove was standing on. Before the mare could even react, the blue electricity was traveling up Tealove's body. She screamed. It was lie being shocked, being shaken so fast you could barely process what was happening, and by then, the abrupt pain was over.
"What was-?"
"I can still tell it's her," Bon-Bon reported to Big Mac who nodded, "Yup," then pressed a glowing button which shot another shock that squeezed at Tealove's veins into her brain.
"AH!" Tealove yelped and was left panting after a horrible three seconds, "What are you-?"
"No," Bon-Bon said after a thoughtful look at Tealove, and before the mare could argue, it happened again.
"Please stop it!!" Tealove cried, just to have it happen again.
"Sto-!" and again, "S-!!" an again, "STOP!", then there was a pause.
"You know," Bon-Bon pointed out, "I think it's pretty good."
"Eyup."
The table lowered itself to the ground and allowed Tealove to stagger off to join her friends (the friends who I also for some reason want to kill right now).
"What were you-?!"
"Just look in the mirror," Bon-Bon waved away her friend's unfinished demand (if you interrupt me one more time..), so Tealove dragged herself to the bathroom and-
"Oh my gosh!!!"
"Eyup," Big Mac peeked in followed by a grinning Bon-Bon who asked, "You like?"
"I..uh..," Tealove burst out laughing. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Staring at her from the other side of the mirror was a mar as tall as Princess Luna with a long horn, white coat, silky pink he=air and a cutie mark of three royalty symbols.
"Who in all of Equestria is that?" Tealove laughed and was still surprised when the mare in the mirror did the same.
"A Broke area leader from Canterlot," Bon-Bon explained, "There's a dinner party just for them tonight and we'll all be attending thanks to Beach Mark's disguise machine."
(That's what that was...could've told me so before I started plotting out your murder.)
"So cool," Tealove sighed, messing with her eyes that were now fringed with thick, lush eyelashes, "Who are you guys going as?"
"Big Mac's disguising as your..significant other," Bon-Bon grinned, "and I'll be your close friend from Ponyville, Mayor Mare!"
"Mayor Mare?!" Tealove shrieked,shocked that the leader of her home town would be plotting Celestia's overthrow, "But how could she-?"
"We're running a little short on time," Bon-Bon said (you just..) with a glance at the clock, "come on, Big Mac!"
Then the two trotted from the bathroom leaving Tealove to admire her new looks. (Well, well, I wouldn't mind staying like this for a while.)
Not too much later, two other strangers were looking out through the mirror.
"Who in the hay is this girl dating?" Tealove cracked up when Big Mac entered the bathroom, now a dignified white stallion in a suite, a mustache curling under his muzzle and a monocle settled in front of one eye.
Big Mac slouched, spitting the mustache from his mouth, "Yep."
"Well, I disapprove!" Bon-Bon imitated Mayor Mare's official voice, "All stallions should be well shaven at all times! And my opinion over rules all! You are dismissed!"
Big Mac didn't find it amusing though. ****************************************************************************************************************
Fear clenched at Tealove's nerves as the three ponies carefully trotted down the alley that was now in ruins from their fight with Thunderclap. The mare grimly tugged the hood of her white, shimmering cloak that indicating she was a Broke leader to further cover her face, and even though she knew there was no chance of anypony recognizing her, Tealove was still brewing over possible death scenarios and ways to make a quick escape.
"Welcome, Mademoiselle Fleur,"
Tealove almost screamed when a beaten but slick looking Thunderclap ushered her into the headquarters.
"A pleasure to have you," the black stallion dipped down and kissed her hoof (ew. Get off me before I blast your face again) which sent Tealove's mind racing in circles trying to find something to say back, but thankfully Bon-Bon stepped in.
"Good evening, Thunderclap! Everything in order for the night?"
The stallion smiled kindly at the imposture, "Yes, Miss Mare, no worries about tonight."
Tealove suppressed a shudder.
"Okay, so where's the Covert?" she whispered s the three took their places at the long dinner table seating dozens of ponies all wearing white cloaks, "Because I want to get out of here as quick as possible."
"Oh, hush," 'Mayor Mare' waved Tealove away, "At least we missed the opening ceremony. Now that's the boring part."
(It's still so weird to hear Bon-Bon but see Mayor Mare..even more so to hear Big Mac and see...that guy.)
Tealove slumped in her chair with a scowl and started picking at her perfectly smoothed and shined hoof. (Well, there's not actually anything to pick at since this mare's so perfectly groomed, but...)
"Ahem."
(Maybe I could pick at the ends of her mane instead..)
"Ahem."
(Just kidding, she doesn't have any split ends to pick. Figures.)
"Ahem!"
Tealove finally looked up. It was Mayor Mare (/Bon-Bon).
"What?"
"Remember," she hissed, "be Fleur or you'll give us away!"
(Oh. Right.)
Tealove reluctantly sat up, shook herself into a dainty, dreamy pose, hooves propping up her slender face, eyelashes batting, then she let her thoughts float off. (Oh, aren't I such a mane-flowy pretty princess? Obviously Bon-Bon agrees because she stopped bugging me.)
"A toast!" Bon-Bon declared (gosh, she should be a voice actress) and to Tealove's surprise, the surrounding Broke leaders chimed in, "A toast!"
Tealove scrambled to pick up her cup as the room filled with the tink of glass, but then Big Mac suddenly caught her eye. He gave her a stiff look, jerked his horn toward his drink, then Tealove remembered. She groaned to herself (I'm starting to think Bon-Bon did this to torture me) then, with the grace of a ballerina, swept to Big Mac's shoulder and raised a perfect hoof to help support his glass, then she leaned her head dreamily on the stallion's shoulder.
During dinner, Tealove had no problems being Fleur, taking mini servings of salad and candied carrots, but Bon-Bon almost had to slap her for taking a slice of buttered bread (apparently Fleur is one of those vegan freaks) and Tealove had to quickly play off meaning to get it for Big Mac. Following the meal, (I concluded that I will never ever even consider being a vegan!) Bon-Bon, Big Mac and Tealove retreated to the lounge to begin their search for the undercover Covert.
"I'll check the bar," Bon-Bon whispered as the ponies huddled among the sofas, "You two stick together or ponies will start asking question and check the cider tasting stations. We'll meet up again in half an hour."
"How do we know who to look for?" Tealove asked.
"It's going to be the mare with the lotus-"
"Mayor Mare!"
The ponies jumped apart as if they'd all been shocked.
At the lounge entrance was a unicorn mare with a yellow and pink stripped mane and an ice cream cone cutie mark. Tealove noticed that Big Mac all of a sudden became stiff.
"Oh!" Bon-Bon scrambled to look casual, "Hello there! Having a nice evening?"
"Oh, the best," the unicorn happily trotted into the dim room and nodded towards Big Mac and Tealove in greeting, "Wanna go get a drink? It's been so long, we've got tons to catch up on!"
"Well I'd love to," Bon-Bon smiled then quickly turned to her friends, "I'll see you two soon!"
"Oh, Fancy Pants," the mare batted her eyelashes, "You're getting more and more dashing every time I see you."
Big Mac started turning red as the mare giggled so Tealove quickly hopped and did the only thing she could think of.
"Yes, my special somepony is dashing, isn't he?" Tealove simpered and without thinking, she gave Big Mac a nice kiss on the lips. (Did I just-?)
That got the mare to back off so quickly, you'd think Big Mac had a disease.
"Yes," she sourly smiled, "He is."
"Well, best be off!" Bon-Bon gave Mayor Mare's friend a friendly nudge, "The fun awaits!" and then the two left, the unicorn only glancing back once to shoot Tealove a devilish glare. Then the two ponies were alone.
Even in the dim lighting, Tealove could tell Big Mac had turned a deep red.
"We should..head off to the cider tasting."
The stallion hoarsely replied, "Eyup."
"Okay," Tealove tried to avoid the silence as he and Big Mac followed their noses toward the sharp fizz of cider, "so we're looking for a mare with..a lotus. You've met her before, right?"
"Nope."
Tealove's jaw tightened as they entered the sampling area packed with couples (not to mention plenty of mares with flowers that could very well be lotuses in their manes!)-this was going to be a lot harder than she'd thought.
"Care to try a blood raspberry cider?" a mare behind a counter lined with small glasses asked, "It's the evening favorite!"
"Sure," Tealove shrugged, but then she remembered. (Oh shoot. I mean...) She quickly flung her arms around Big Mac and nuzzled his shoulder.
"If you want to!" Tealove sang.
The mare glanced at her. (Stop looking at me like that. This is my first time having a coltfriend and being vegan, so give me a break.)
Big Mac regally cleared his throat then nodded.
"Alright then," the mare hoofed the two a glass, looking suspicious, "Enjoy."
"Sorry," Tealove whispered once they'd trotted back into the crowd, "I keep forgetting."
Big Mac just nodded though and sipped his drink, which left Tealove pink with embarrassment and wishing she'd been disguised as anypony, anypony but Fleur.
Tealove sipped the samples sparingly seeing as there were already several stallions staggering about the counters looking awfully fizzed. Big Mac and her chatted with countless other couples, but out of all the mares with floral jewelry and such, none of them stuck out as Clandestine ponies. The two also quickly found out that Fleur and Fancy Pants were quite popular and never had more than a minute to relax or go without being talked to, invited to the bar, led to lounge discussion or being fussed over for being the Broke's cutest couple. Before Tealove knew it, two hours had passed.
"Sweet Celestia," she heaved when she spotted a pink coated, blue maned mare trotting toward them, "Let's go hide in the lounge and hope Bon-Bon will forgive us for being late."
Tealove began pulling Big Mac towards the dark crowd of arm chairs, rushing before anypony else could stop them for a drink or mini reunion, but Big Mac tugged her back.
"What do you think you're-"
"Fleur?"
(Too late.) Tealove scrambled to look like she wasn't actually trying to claw Big Mac somewhere where they could be alone and turned to face the mare she'd seen walking towards them. (Thanks a lot, Mac.)
"Yes?"
This mare's mane was slicked back behind a white head band and she wore a dress of the same style as Tealove's only white along with the same pearl earrings.
"I need to talk with you."
Tealove shot a glance at Big Mac. (How do I know you're not Thunderclap in the best disguise in Equestria waiting to blast me off the face of the world when you've got me alone, eh, Thunderclap?) And at that moment, the black stallion area leader trotted by sipping a raspberry blood cider. (...obviously he knows how to clone himself.)
"Alone," the mare added.
Tealove blinked (what would Fleur do?) then did the one thing that popped into her mind (fling yourself on that handsome special somepony and cry!), "Whatever you have to say, you can say to both of us!"
Silence.
(What, was it really that bad?)
Then the mare burst out laughing.
(Okay, fine, don't have to rub it in my face.)
"Just follow me," the mare laughed, but when Tealove didn't come, she leaned close and whispered, "Sweet Pea."
(Oh. Ooooh....were we that obvious?)
"You too, Max," the Covert added.
Once the three were lolling around casually in the darkest corner of the lounge, Tealove finally noticed the white flower printed on the mare's flank. (Ah. So that's a lotus.)
"Alrighty!" the lotus pony whispered, digging through her purse that seemed to be as deep as a briefcase, "I've got it somewhere..."
"Um..sorry to..get off topic, but," Tealove whispered, taking advantage of the silence, "what's your name?"
"Covert Agent River Lily! But don't call me that..in public at least. Call me Aloe!"
"Well, Aloe, we're lucky you found us because we had no clue-!"
"Found it!" and from the depths of Aloe's stylish saddlebag came a black parchment scroll which she carefully hoofed to Tealove.
"This," the mare hissed, "Is everything I've gathered about the whereabouts of Princess Luna and every detail I could squeeze out of theses ponies that would help in rescuing her. I hope we it helps."
Tealove had never seen black parchment and was about to open it when-
"Not in here!!" Aloe slapped Tealove's hooves away, then quickly scanned the area to see if anypony had heard her. She repeated quietly this time, "Not in here...Bon-Bon will know how how to read it, so I'd get out of here as quickly as possible now that you have it."
"Eyup," Big Mac gingerly stowed the scroll away under his suit, "Will do."
"Thanks," Tealove added as they slowly dispersed.
"Any time!" Aloe cheered, "See you two later! I'll be at the cider tastings if you need me!"
"Okay, time to get out of here," was Tealove's first priority, so the two rushed towards the bar to find Bon-Bon.
Surprisingly enough, she was still chatting away with the flirty yellow mare, taking sips form her glass an giggling almost uncontrollably
"Oh, Celestia," Tealove tried not to grin as she and Big Mac approached the bar, "Hey, Miss Mare!"
"Huh?" Bon-Bon swung around in her spinning stool, still giggling, but fell to the ground before she could see who had called her. The ice cream cone pony burst into laughter so loud that ponies around them stared.
"He..hey guys!" the fake Mayor Mare chocked as Tealove came to help her up, "You came..just in time for the next story..that Sweetcream..Scoops is gonna tell!!"
"Somepony's had too much cider," Big Mac mumbled.
"I...haven't had any..since my first glass!" Bon-Bon said in between giggles, "I..swear!"
"Mm," Tealove nodded, "Right..well it's time to go now, so say your goodbyes and-"
"HAHAHAHAHA!" the mare called Sweetcream Scoops suddenly burst out laughing which sent Bon-Bon into a fresh seizure of shrieking giggles.
Tealove sighed.
"Well, it's been nice meeting you!" she screamed to Mayor Mare's companion, "So..bye!!" then she dragged Bon-Bon as far from the bar as she could.
"Bon-Bon!" Tealove tried to scold and cover her laugh with a groan, "Would you be quiet? You sound like a dying rooster!"
"Leaving so soon?"
That voice froze Tealove in her tracks and totally paralyzed her brain. Even Bon-Bon got quiet. (Oh, Celestia, save me now.) It was Thunderclap.
Tealove swallowed hard, "I..we were-"
"Fleur," the black stallion took hold of Tealove's hoof then lightly kissed it, "How about a drink before you go?"
"I-" but Thunderclap was already escorting her to the bar. (No, no, no, no, no!! I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die...0
"We'll have the special," Thunderclap ordered in his deep, monotone voice, "Double fizz."
(I swear I heard myself gulp.)
"Cheers, love," the stallion clinked his glass against Tealove's then carefully tipped the liquid down his throat. (Is it poison? How am I supposed to know?! This is what Bon-Bon's for!! I'm gonna die.)
"Are you well, Fleur?" Thunderclap asked gently, seeing that Tealove hadn't yet touched her drink, "I know you fancy that Canterlot snoot, dear, but destiny. Destiny has brought us together."
"I'm fine," Tealove whispered in the best Fleur actress voice she could muster, "thank you."
Then, to ward off suspicion, she took the tiniest sip from her glass and even that sent a snap of fizz bubbling through her senses. (Sweet Celestia, that's some strong stuff!)
"Did the dinner please you, love?" Thunderclap asked with a quick sip of his cider, "I served your favorite."
"It was delicious," Tealove, somehow managing to keep her voice form shaking, replied, "Has your evening been enjoyable?"
"Oh, it's been this and that," the stallion waved his hoof, "But I say, Fleur. I don't remember your eyes glowing with such brilliance...you grow more and more elegant every time I see you."
Tealove had not clue how to respond to that, so instead of doing so, she took a quick sip of cider.
"Are you all right, love?" Thunderclap asked, this time concerned, "You look a bit paler than usual."
"I'm fine, I assure you," Tealove wanted to scream and hide, but the least she could do was anxiously fiddle with her pearl necklace. (Oh, Flare, I wish you were here!)
Then Thunderclap took hold of Tealove's nervous hoof and held it tightly between his, "We've been apart for so long. We must get together more often. I can't last without your beauty.." the stallion wrapped a hoof around Tealove's hip, pulling her slightly closer.
"Yes, I..." (PANIC ATTACK!)
"And your gentle touch," Thunderclap ran a hoof behind Tealove's neck which sent her fur spiking, "Such a refreshment to the senses..My flower," he began leaning closer, "I can't believe I ever lived without you."
He was coming close, too close, way too close, close enough to make Tealove want to shove his face away and run. He was pulling her in..(AH!!), but at the last second, Tealove spotted, coming around the bar counter to serve an order-
"Flare!!"
Tealove tugged herself from Thunderclap's grip, almost crying with relief. (I knew he'd be here! Ah, my here.)
At the sound of his name, Flare looked up suddenly brightening at the sound of Tealove's voice, but then he saw who had called and his face fell. Tealove couldn't have been happier.
"Who is that?" Thunderclap demanded as Flare began trotting over, supposing he was needed to refill a drink.
"A dear friend of mine that I've been looking forward to seeing!" Tealove cried, leaping behind the counter and enveloping Fare in a tight hug.
"Um..who're..sorry, but I don't-" the young stallion stammered, then Tealove hissed into his ear,
"Save me!"
Her voice clicked into Flare's mind and he suddenly went slack, "Tea-?!"
"Good evening, Flare."
The two pulled apart. Standing close by was a stick stiff Thunderclap. He gave the other stallion a nod, "Wonderful to be a part of this reunion, but I believe your night's duties are waiting."
Flare was still getting over the fact that the mare before him was Tealove, so she was the one who had to step in and say, "Do you mind if he joins us for a drink? I'm sure the other bar tenders have everything under control!" but when Thunderclap didn't cave, she added, "My love, it would make me most happy."
Now he couldn't possibly refuse, so Flare joined the group and Tealove and him ended up talking nonstop (like we do). They laughed, gave each other friendly shoves, sipped cider and the more they ignored Thunderclap, the more the pile of empty glasses strewn across the counter grew. And when Flare, without thinking, took hold of Tealove's hoof, Thunderclap totally lost it.
"Out! OUT!" the stallion bellowed, quite red in the face and ready to buck Flare's skull to pieces, "Out with you!! NOW!"
"Thunderclap-" Tealove began, rather amused more than anything and fighting the urge to laugh, (wonder what he'd do if I kissed Fare...?) but the stallion wouldn't listen.
"NO! She is my mare! It is destiny!! She is mine!!"
"Well, dear, somepony's had a little too much fizz," one of the passing bar tender mares shook her head, "Well, dear, we can't have that here. Come along, Mister."
"It is DESTINY!" Thunderclap roared, making a huge fool of himself as he was dragged away my three bar tenders, leaving Tealove and Flare to laugh freely.
"Oh, thank you so much for being here!" Tealove cried.
"You didn't say you were coming!" Flare exclaimed, "And how are you..more like who are you?"
"Oh, that," she sighed with a flip of her hair, "I got a mane trim. You like it?"
"No, really, what'd you do?" the stallion laughed, "You even got a new cutie mark!"
Tealove suddenly turned pink. (What am I supposed to say? 'Oh, it's nothing, just got shocked by some Clandestine machine that disguised me into some fancy smancy pony from Canterlot so I can spy on your society without dying. Hope you don't mind!')
"Well, I wouldn't have been able to recognize you if it weren't for the necklace," Flare corrected.
Tealove's hoof instinctively flew to the pearls and instantly caused her to brighten, "Oh, I can't tell you how much I love it! Now I remember you..where ever I go."
The stallion smiled weakly and squeezed her hoof.
"Tealove," he suddenly looked torn, making his mare's smile quickly disappear. She'd never seen him so down.
"What is it?"
"I..I have something to tell you," (well, I figured) he sighed, avoiding her eyes, "The...the pearls are-"
"There you are!" it was Bon-Bon, rushing towards Tealove's, looking so relieved as she tugged her friend into a hug, "Sweet Celestia, I thought you were going to die!"
Tealove was surprised at first but quickly laughed, "I thought so too, but-!"
"Let's get out of here," Bon-Bon, though shorter than Tealove as Mayor Mare, now had her hooves on the other's shoulders as if she was her mother, "before anything else happens."
"Right," Tealove sighed, then turned back toward Flare, "Write me, okay? We'll meet up again soon."
"Yah," Flare stared at the floor, "Soon."
Tealove gave a small smile, took the stallion's hooves in hers then kissed him gently atop his muzzle, "Bye, Flare."
This time he looked up, appearing to be close to tears, "I love you."
And as Bon-Bon, Big Mac and Tealove's cab sped into the cold, dark night, Tealove's heart was flying, swelling, warming her even through the shock that surged through her when she was taken form her disguise.
Tealove stared at herself in the mirror as Bon-Bon brushed her mane, sending relaxing shivers up Tealove's spine. It was almost weird to be herself again, instead of Fleur, but Tealove was glad. (Yah, now I don't have to pretend to be clean and sit up straight at dinner.) Tealove glanced at Big Mac who had just gotten out of the shower and was standing by the door, as if prepared to go somewhere, (please don't say there's another information exchange. I just wanna sleep) but the stallion silently and patiently waited.
After redressing Tealove's fore hoof that Thunderclap had shot just two nights before and spreading ointment on the bullet made cut that traced under the mare's eyes, Tealove slipped into her silk pajamas, her mane now in a smooth french braid (that only Bon-Bon would be able to pull off), then fell softly onto her ever so fluffy bed. From the other side of the curtains of their balcony, the muffled sound of speeding cars could still be heard, mixed with the beep of taxis, the rumble of trams and the whispers of the night. The hotel room was dim, only the bedside table lamp lit, and Tealove wanted the peaceful hum to last forever. But she couldn't manage to ignore the fact that Big Mac was still standing by the door.
"What's up?" she whispered as Bon-Bon (in her flowy white night gown, mane tied back with a bow) climbed into bed.
"Oh, nothing, Big Mac just wants to show you something before bed," she replied, snuggling with her mountain of pillows, "But I'm not waiting for you two, so good night."
Tealove glanced towards Big Mac, but his face was hidden in the shadows.
"Is this going to be quick?" she whispered, pulling on a white robe.
Big Mac couldn't conceal a small smile, "Yep," then he zipped up a jacket and opened the door for Tealove.
"It's in the suite, right?" the mare pressed as the two took the elevator down.
Big Mac paused then replied, "Yep."
"Good," Tealove sighed, "I don't want anypony to see me in my pajamas."
The elevator let the ponies out onto the lobby floor where Big Mac held out a plain blue scarf with his mouth. Telaove blinked. She tried to act excited, "Oh, it's so soft..and a great color and-"
The stallion snorted then trotted behind her, tied the cloth over her eyes and the whole world went black.
"Are you-?"
"Nope."
Tealove let herself be tugged forward and in an instant, the soft carpet of the lobby changed to cold, wet concrete.
"Where are we going?!" Tealove cried, blindly staggering beside Big Mac, slipping through small rain puddles, "You said we weren't leaving the-!"
"Yep."
Tealove huffed (now he's just being like Bon-Bon) but decided to trust the stallion and allow him to guide her through the dark.
"You'd better not run me into a pole like all the ponies in the movies do," she couldn't help adding.
The night was cold, a gentle, nipping breeze was in the air, one raindrop occasionally fell from the sky and they walled on. Tealove got used to walking as if her eyes were closed, but she hated not knowing where they were going, where they were. She felt like she could fall asleep amidst the peaceful patter of rain and the quiet hum of cars, but the chill kept her from drifting off. Tealove had no clue how long they walked (I kept myself busy pleading with Celestia to not let anypony see me out dressed like this, blindfolded and tripping over every crack in the sidewalk) but eventually Big Mac came to a stop.
Tealove tried to make sense of where they were, but all she felt was the slight warmth of light shining in front of her and the freezing puddles that were making her hooves go numb. She sensed Big Mac walling up behind her, then the scarf slowly fell form her eyes and-
"Oh!!" Tealove gasped, her whole body awake now, shaking with excitement and loss of words. Her eyes were as round as saucers, but they couldn't seem to open wide enough to take in the glory, beauty and perfection of the glowing, glittering, grand window display of Très Bella's Cafè. (And it rhymes, so it must be true!!)
"Oh my-oh, Celestia!!" Tealove was over flowing with awe, "It's even more breath taking at night!! But why-?"
Big Mac wasn't at her side anymore though. He was now standing at the Cafe door, holding it open as the small, silver bell on the frame tinkled in warm welcome.
"In?" Tealove choked, "I..In T-très Bella's..me?"
Big Mac grinned and nodded, "Eyup."
"Eeeeee!!!" Tealove squealed on the threshold, but paused dramatically to then take one step into the cafe then-
"OH MY-!!!"
Little round french cafe tables, teacups for two, glimmering crystal china, lace curtains, doilies, the warm aroma of sweets teas, herbs, white tiles so clear that you could easily examine your own reflection, canvas paintings of the earliest Victorian tea party, color schemes of pale pink and pure white, spotless, sophisticated, but an environment that was relaxing, peaceful and a posh slice of home.
Tealove couldn't help her nonstop squealing. It was a dream come true! A paradise! A place she had always wished she could recreate, only in Ponyville! The mare ran across the cafe, darting to every corner, to every teaspoon, soaking every detail and etching them into her brain. (Talk about hard core tea time!!)
Tealove hadn't even noticed it, but it took her about thirty minutes to examine the whole shop (including the bathrooms) and when she was about to start squealing over everything for the second time, Big Mac cleared his throat. He had to do that about five times though to actually get Tealove's attention.
"Is there something wrong with your throat because you should probably-" Tealove ended with a giant gasp. (Thankfully we were the only ones in the store or I'd be making quite a fool of myself.)
Big Mac was standing by one of the tables and pulling out a chair for Tealove to sit in, but she wasn't at all paying attention to him.
On the little table were miniature cakes delicately frosted with creamy ruffles of icing only the best gourmet bakers could pull off, dainty stacks of candied and sugar coated fruits (which came in a variety of cute little shapes) and flower petals, creme puffs that seemed fit for french fairies, tarts only a few inches wide, sandwiches of fluffy, homemade bread, pastries carefully sprinkled with powdered sugar, jams and spreads scattered across the table in adorable little pots only big enough to hold an egg and countless other sweets and treats that were anypony's and everypony's dream, each glowing with the glimmer that Très Bella's Cafe seemed to have on every aspect of their shop.
"I. Can't. Believe it!!!!" Tealove was screaming now, hopping on the spot with exploding joy.
Big Mac just chuckled as his friends freaked out over just sitting in a Très Bella's chair, then he sat opposite of her and waited for Tealove to take her pick.
"Ooooooooh, this is so hard!" Tealove's hoof hovered momentarily above each breath taking treat, "Which one am I supposed to choose as my first one? They're all so amazing, so perfect, so..."
Then she remembered. This was the very place that she and her dad had always wanted to visit...as a family..to get inspiration for their business. 'Soon to be your business' Tealove remembered him often reminding her as she helped mix the batters in the family shop which was once called 'The Clovers Teakery'. (Oh..dad...) Now she knew what to have first.
Tealove, feeling like a filly amidst all the presents on Hearth's Warming Day but suddenly remembering the true meaning of the occasion, gingerly lifted a strawberry banana custard eclair from a tier in the center of the table. She looked down at the perfect pastry. 'The first dessert your mother served in our little shop' her dad's voice echoed in Tealove's ear, the words he had told her as the two had gazed down at the last eclair left in the Teakery after her mother's death. Not one custard pastry had been served since then.
Tealove blinked hard and glanced at Big Mac (wow, there must be something wrong with him if he's not downing everything in sight) then slowly sunk her teeth into the fluffy eclair that burst fruity custard into her mouth as well as memories of her mother. Images of Tealove's mom flashed before her like forgotten dreams, sketches of their Teakery's grand opening, etches of late nights spent filling countless orders, carvings of the two sneaking her dad's cakes and getting scolded for it when they were caught in the storage closet with mouths full of mouse.
Tealove shakily smiled, holding back tears the best she could then realized Big Mac was gazing at her, his smile fading away.
"You okay?" the stallion asked.
Tealove swallowed her last nibble of eclair then furiously rubbed her eyes, "I'm fine, it's just.." she took in a deep breath, "this place reminds me..of my parents."
The way Tealove said it, Big Mac knew, "I..know how ya feel," he whispered, "My pa 'n' ma passed when I was only eleven..but what keeps me goin' is knowin' that I've got other ponies who love me 'n' I gotta try tuh make 'em proud..do what they'd o..an' better."
Tealove sniffled (that's the most he's ever said to me..ever), "Yah..but sometimes...I don't know I just..want somepony there. There to eat with each night, to make..eclairs with, to dance with and..tell you a story at night..."
A tear escaped Tealove's eyes and dribbled slowly down her cheek, "I know it's...stupid, but-" Tealove furiously wiped her eyes.
"It's not stupid," Big Mac firmly said and touched Tealove's shaking hoof so she would look up at him (not to mention make my heart stop) then her paused and whispered, "What stories did your parents tell ya?"
Big Mac grinned for a second but quickly stopped when another tear began trickling down Tealove's face.
She choked, "I'm sorry, but...I just..need..can I hug you?"
Big Mac smiled and got up from his seat, but before he could take even one step, Tealove threw her arms around him and totally broke down, sobbing and shaking, blinded by her tears and deaf from her gasps for air. The two sunk to the ground, Tealove clinging to Big Mac and crying into his shoulder, breathing in his sweet apples scent, shaking within his embrace and letting every drop of pain flood from her body. She didn't know how long she choked and hiccuped, gasped and sobbed, feeling like the whole world was falling apart, like death sounded easier to handle. At least she'd be with her parents, at least she wouldn't be alone, have no worries, no pain. All those years of misery, loneliness and emptiness, everything was coming out through her tears. (Why did dad leave me? Didn't he care? Didn't he love me enough to not leave me with that horrible mule? That wretched, cruel being that enslaved me, haunted me with my past and sucked all happiness from me!! Why didn't mom find a different way, any way, to free me without sacrificing herself? Wasn't she thinking of how that would scar me, hurt me, mentally kill me?! It would have been better for me to have died!!)
Tealove sobbed harder. Her stomach was so tight, she couldn't be sick. Her eyes were so puffy and raw, it hurt to blink. Eventually though, Tealove had cried herself out. No matter how much more she sobbed, not one more tear could be squeezed from her. Then she became weak, went limp, became too tired to cry. She just lied there, head against Big Mac's chest, curled up in a wet, wilted heap, choking on her memories while listening to the slow heart beat of the stallion before her. Tealove's breathing gradually fell in sync with Big Mac's then she realized that she wasn't shaking anymore. The tears were gone, the misery was over, and now, all that filled Tealove's senses was the comfort of laying within Big Mac's grasp.
"Once upon a time," the stallion's deep voice began to whisper, "there was 'n alicorn princess named Tealove."
Tealove sniffled, suddenly feeling warm and fuzzy inside..just like she always had whenever her mother had started that story.
"An' one day she was invited tuh tea with the Princesses, but..she needed tuh find somethin' tun wear, so she trotted on over tuh Carousel Boutique and began her search for the best dress in all o' 'questria..."
The story continued on to tell of Princess Tealove's quest to every Boutique in the land, trying to put together the the perfect outfit, helping ponies along the way with her magic and wings and giving parts of her ensemble to those in need. In between all of that though was a mix of fairy godponies, fugitive deer, teacup carriages and falling through holes that transported you to lands of magical meadows and deadly tea parties you had to be clever enough to escape.
Every trot of the way, Tealove listened like a filly hearing their first fairy tale, nibbling on a jam doughnut and letting herself be carried away with the story, not at all caring about how totally different this one was compared to the tale her mother had always told...she thought this one might even be better.
"So, in her deer woven, leaf dress, china cup slippers, sparkle fairy cape an' that big ratty hat given tuh her from that crazy cupcake baker, Princess Tealove attended the royal alicorn tea party, knowin' now tha' even though she didn't get her dream gown, helpin' out other ponies an' adventurin' with 'em was better than any dress. An' she lived happily ever after, the end."
Tealove just sat there for a while, letting the end of her story soak through her senses until she realized her half eaten jelly doughnut had fallen to the floor, leaving a purple splotch on the spotless tile. She quickly pulled away form Big Mac then scrubbed the small mess until it shined enough for her to see Big Mac standing behind her. She turned to face him, ran a hoof through e=her moused mane, then sighed, "Big Mac.." she gazed into his bright green eyes as tears began to well in her. The mare flung herself around his neck and squeezed him tight.
"Thank you," Tealove whispered, "for the story...and for bringing me here..I couldn't have asked for a better night."
Big Mac put his hooves around her, smoothed back the mare's mane then breathing into her ear "Yup."
Tealove didn't know how long the two stood there, holding each other tight because neither wanted to let go.
Bon-Bon jerked her head forward, signalling for Tealove to tumble across the floor and take cover behind the sofa. Bon-Bon peaked around the corner then slammed herself flat against the nearby wall. Tealove's heart was beating rapidly in her ears and she readjusted her skin tight black suit, trying to stop the shadow fabric from rubbing her sweaty hooves raw (we couldn't we have worn something else? This thing makes me look fat). She glanced towards Bon-Bon who pointed a hoof forward.
"The area's clear," Big Mac's voice came to Tealove's ear from her neck (I decided that it would be much more comfortable and fashionable to string my communication pearl to Flare's gift instead of jam it in my ear) so with one glance at the ceiling, (I hope you know what you're doing, Mac!) she dove behind the giant, round pot holding a variety of flowers that sat at the edge of the lounge.
The Broke Headquarters, that's where the ponies were. It was late into the night and Bon-Bon, Big Mac and Tealove were out to finally rescue Princess Luna. Earlier in the hotel, Tealove had opened the black scroll given to them by Aloe only to find the unusual parchment blank. Their instructions appeared though in curly white hoofman ship after Bon-Bon performed a Clandestine spell on the letter.
'Up the stairs, down the hall, three doors on the left,' Aloe's directions echoed within Tealove's mind as she clicked on her night vision goggles and carefully stepped though the pitch black, deserted HQ. (Yah, just up the stairs and we're practically there. Easy!) She almost couldn't believe she was doing this. It was both nerve wrecking and exciting. Her first break in, first day in the field and she determined to prove to Bon-Bon that she could handle all the fancy equipment that only she and Big Mac were armed with. (Sort of a stupid decision since I'm the one down here, but...come on, I won a street gun fight! Well, there wasn't actually a set winner, but...okay, at least let me carry the cool projecting, coordinate calculating glasses!)
Not only that, but Tealove wanted to prove to Big Mac that his choice was for the better when he'd voted against Bon-Bon to have her be up in the air vents keeping watch for night guards (he'd said that it'd be a better learning experience for me to just jump right into the danger. I wasn't really sure if I was supposed to thank him or not).
Tealove barely dared to breath as she hid under the bar counter, eyes glued to the staircase that lay just beyond the dance floor. (Let me tell you, the world is quite hard to make out when you see everything in green and blue.) The silence pressed in on her as she began crossing the sleek dance floor, remembering her first slow song with Flare with a mix of emotions, then-CRASH.
Tealove suddenly found herself sliding across the floor, head pounding, then she slammed against the wall, the noise from the accident echoing through the spacious building.
"Somepony's coming!" Big Mac's voice sent Tealove's heart flying to her throat and she scrambled to her hooves, fresh pain stabbing at her healing leg, then three stallions burst into the room, waving flashlights wildly through the air.
"Who's there?!" one barked, prowling further into the dark.
(Oh, nopony, you're just hearing things, dear...I'M SO DEAD!!)
"Move!" Big Mac's desperate command uprooted Tealove's hooves and allowed her to dive into an empty box that was supposed to be holding all the cider tasting cups (the pony in charge of that must've been too fizzed to remember). Tealove curled up in the tightest ball she could, crushing her lungs and causing a sourness to rise in her throat, but she didn't dare breath, much less move. The lid was closed and the box quickly became stuffy. Muffled hoof steps echoed about her hiding place as Tealove's vision grew dotted. (I'M GONNA DIE! weather from suffocation or being caught, who knows which first), then somepony to the left whispered, "Knocked over the speakers..they're close by."
(DEAD. DEATH. DIE.)
(I swear I'm going to faint before they find me.)
Her lungs were searing, exploding just like her head, it felt like her eyes were popping out from their sockets, she was about to pass out, then-
"Tea!"
Tealove jumped and gasped, making her box shuffle to the side. (Celestia!) Tealove stuffed a hoof in her mouth but couldn't help feeling relieved that she know had fresh air in her system. (And apparently the guards were so blind that they didn't notice that a box just moved because I wasn't found after that! Or they left. I'm not complaining.)
"Hag bag, chill before you give us away," Bon-Bon's voice hissed from within her pearl, "Those stallions are busy checking out the lounge, so get your butt up staircase now."
"Is the coast cl-?"
"Now!"
Huffily, Tealove took a leap of faith and sprung from her box, tumbled across the rest of the dance floor, then, with only a glance back at the lights waving in the lounge, bolted up the stairs. At the top landing was Bon-Bon, fishing a devise strapped to her wrist in the door's lock.
"Where's B-?"
"Shh!" Bon-Bon growled, then pressed her ear against the door, jerking her wrist until-click! The mare slowly pushed the entry open, careful to not make even one creak, then she slunk in.
Tealove gingerly followed, all senses on edge as they entered the hallway lined with several, very different doors. Then there was a clank. Tealove almost screamed, but Bon-Bon shoved a hoof down her throat before any noise could escape. The sound had come from the wall..just beyond the metal grates as the foot of surface..then all of a sudden, a red laser shot out from the wall and cut a giant circle, just big enough for a giant pony in all black to burst into the hall.
"Eep!" Tealove squeaked, but then she recognized that pony's trot and yanked Bon-Bon's hoof away.
"Oh, Big Mac! How did you-?"
"Focus, Sweet," Bon-Bon cut in, staring down the line of doors, "Third door to the left...it's that one."
Tealove stared at their destination, suddenly bubbling with emotion. There it was-the reason they'd come all this way and pretty much risked the whole Clandestine identity.
Bon-Bon quietly jiggled the door's handle.
"Locked," she reported, "Figures..," then began fiddling with the lock just as she had before, but this time, there was no click. Bon-Bon scowled at the door, "You give it a try, Mac."
"What about m-?"
"You don't have the tools to break a lock," the mare replied dismissively. This time it was Tealove's turn to scowl.
"I..can't get it tuh..ugh!" Big Mac grunted as he wrestled with the door, "I could buck i' down if ya wan' me to-"
"That would be way too loud!" Bon-Bon scolded, "Let me try a-"
But this time, Tealove didn't care to ask Bon-Bon if she could give it a try, and before the mare could stop her, Tealove was hacking away at the handle with a pink bobby pin from her mane.
"Tealove!" Bon-Bon hissed, "That's not going to work if-!!"
Click and the door drifted ajar. The other two ponies were left in shock. (In your face, fancy spy gadgets!)
"Well, no time to loose!" Bon-Bon waved the matter away, "Come on!"
Then she began to ever so slowly push open the door until the three stood on the threshold of a room with ripped wallpaper (which looked somepony had let an angry Timberwolf into the place), a rough, dirty planked floor and windows that were fogged and boarded up.
"Wait..wha-?"
In the room's center was a pile of rope, moist, frayed, and a small scrap of parchment lay amidst the coils.
The ponies ran to the ropes. Tealove began searching the rest of the room, but all there was was an empty, moth filled closet. (Did Aloe give us the wrong directions? Does Bon-Bon know how to count to three? The Princess had to be here!!)
Then Bon-Bon gave a ragged gasp.
"What?" Tealove whispered, she and Big Mac rushing to her sides, but then they saw it.
The note Bon-Bon was holding in her shaking hooves was written in spidery letters with the occasional ink splotch. They read,
"Look at what has become of your Princess."
(NO!)
"Well, well, fancy seeing you three again."
Big Mac, Bon-Bon and Tealove whipped around. There on the threshold were three other ponies. The one who had spoken was Thunderclap.
The black stallion smirked and laughed at the sight if the three Coverts, "Oh no, we do have a problem! Looking for you lost Princess I suppose? Ah, well you're too late, little foals. Five days too late."
"What have you done with her?!!" Bon-Bon demanded.
"Oh, none of your business, now is it?" Thunderclap snapped.
"But how did you-?!"
"Find us?" the stallion interrupted in a horribly whiny, high pitched voice. He laughed at his own humor, "Oh, oblivious peons! It was quite simple seeing as I had just the right stallion to slither into your companion's very heart!"
"What are you-?"
"That would be where we come in, mates."
And out of the shadows stepped a blue British mare standing beside a dark stallion who-
"Flare!" Tealove gasped, staring wide eyes at the stallion who refused to meet her eyes, "And-"
"Oh, you know my little colt, do you?" Sugar Kiss grinned then took Flare around the neck and suddenly began passionately kissing him. And Flare seemed to be taking part in the enjoyment just as much.
Tealove's heart was so suddenly torn that she felt her very chest collapse.
"Flare!" her breathing felt like a labor now, she couldn't stand seeing Sugar Kiss's smug smirk as the two pulled apart. And Flare..he looked equally pleased.
"Oh, honestly!" Sugar Kiss scoffed, "You didn't suspect anything when Flare gave you that necklace! Dear, it's a tracking devise, and he NEVER LOVED YOU!!"
Tealove's knees buckled. All those hours together, all the meals and games and her first kiss and-
"As for me-" Sugar Kiss stuck out the hock that had supposedly been branded with a Clandestine symbol, then ripped the emblem right off, "I never cared for you!!"
"Honestly I thought Celestia would have taught you better than that!" Thunderclap laughed hysterically, "Well, we'll see what Celestia thinks of her prized Coverts once we-"
"RUN!!!!"
And all at once, the room exploded into a sea of thick smoke, an opera house of shouts and screams, then a large hoof tugged Tealove out the door.
"Stop them!" Thunderclap roared then the building burst into an echo of booming gun shots.
"Go!" Bon-Bon cried, pushing Tealove off the staircase when she hesitated, causing the mare to tumble t the ground and crash into a dazed heap.
"GO!"
Tealove scrambled to her hooves then lunged after Big Mac and Bon-Bon as her heart pounded wildly inside her collapsing chest. Not one word but this could form in her brain-DEAD. The ponies ran, Tealove dove behind tables and chairs as bullets rained down on them, she desperately looked for something to use as a weapon, but (thanks Bon-Bon!) a grappling hook wasn't going to cut it. Then somepony shrieked.
"BON-BON!" Tealove cried as one of the night guard stallions took her friend around the neck, raised his gun, Tealove charged, then-
"NO!!"
Bon-Bon's ragged cry echoed through the building and it stabbed at Tealove to hear it, but Bon-Bon hadn't been shot. Tealove had. Straight through the head.
"TEALOVE!!!" Bon-Bon gave a blood curdling scream, but to her friend, the sound was muffled and the world seemed to be growing distant as she fell down, down, down, until she made contact with the ground in a splash of blood.
Tealove was instantly enveloped in an unbearable pain, pain so sharp and overpowering that, at the same time, she could barely feel a thing. It was as if the mare was being put under, lowered slowly into a deep, heavy sleep that would never allow her to wake, to see the light of day. Tealove struggled to open her eyes as the tormenting noise around her grew fainter, but it was as if her eyelids were weighed down with the very demons of death, forcing her to out from her marred body. She felt herself rising, mane flowing, then, like a punch square in the muzzle, Tealove was clean, whole.
She opened her eyes and was almost blinded by the celestial light surrounding her. White. Everywhere. With just a hint of gold. She was alone. Silence. Slow motion as if she were stepping through water. No sign of life. Nopony.
"Hello?" Tealove forced the words from her throat, but even that sound was muffled as if she were taking into a pillow, "Is anypony there?"
Her mane and tail flowed behind as Tealove slowly trotted on what seemed to be just air, she searched hopelessly for a way back to the Brokes, back to her friends, but had no clue what had happened. (Saw Bon-Bon, see gun, run forward....wait....) then it hit her (I'm dead) and just as it dawned on her, a burst of black light spun onto the blank canvas, sucking in the pure white surrounding it and pulled Tealove closer to its depths.
"No!" Tealove clawed desperately at the non-existent ground, but the endless black was drawing her closer, licking at her heels, growling hungrily as Tealove screamed for help- then it stopped. The suction released and the mare was left lying in a disgruntled heap, somehow managing to be amused seeing as her mane was still flowing above her, then a movement within the black light caused her to jump back onto her hooves. (What is-?)
Bon-Bon. Big Mac. The Brokes. The whole scene was taking place in the swirling black hole's center, allowing Tealove to oversee the destruction from a bird's eye view.
The mare's heart clenched when she spotted Flare amidst the hub bub, bucking Big Mac in the face, spraying blood across the slek floor. Tears quickly rose to her eyes, then she caught sight of Sugar Kiss on the staircase balcony, acting as a sniper. Tealove instantly began boiling with rage (how could I have ever trusted her?! Everything she gave, everything she helped with, all the things we told her!), but when one of her bullets grazed Bon-Bon's leg, Tealove cried out, broke down and started crying. It was what she saw next though that stopped her heart.
In a pool of crimson blood was a mare in a skin tight, black suit- (me). It was true. She was dead.
"So. Are you gonna do anything now?"
Tealove choked on her tears almost jumping out of her coat, shrieking with surprise.
Only inches from her side was standing a tall, slender, gray mare with a flowing mane of green, lue, black and yellow. Her eyees sucked Tealove straight into their deep silver-blue shine, her hooves were splattered with what seemed like black paint, the same pattern at the tips of her large, strong wings. Tealove couldn't even breathe.
"M..."
The beautiful mare seemed to glow as a small smile spread across her face.
"Mom?"
"Cute-Tea."
"Mom!!" Tealove burst into tears and flung herself into her mother's arms, sobbing so hard it hurt, and soaking in the warmth, the love and the sweet rain and pine tree scent she'd spent countless years longing for. Tealove felt her mother's wings pull her closer, then a single tear from her loving mom's face dripped to her daughter's shoulder and Tealove began crying harder.
"Oh, Love," her mom breathed gently into Tealove's ear, "You've done so good...I couldn't be prouder."
It took Tealove several minutes though to be able to form a sentence without bursting back into tears, "I can't believe..I'm so..Mom! Oh, I love you so much more than I made it look! I'm sorry for all the times I didn't let you kiss me before going to school, and the times I got mad at you for calling me Cute-Tea in public, and when I-"
"Oh, Tea," her mother laughed heartily (oh, she never was one to let emotional moments last), "I know you are! And I honestly don't care..I just..am so happy to see you! And hug you! And..hear your voice."
Tealove struggled not to break down again, "But...oh, Mom, why did you let yourself die?! I can never forgive myself for letting you-"
"No," her mom interrupted, "I let myself die. Because I knew you had lots more to do in life than I did."
"But..." Tealove's lip began trembling, "all those years of crying myself to sleep..ugh," she quickly wiped her eyes, "Sorry, I'm just...having a hard time not being mad at you or..exploding into tears."
"I know how you feel," her mom nodded with grin, "I had to deal with that for ten years raising you, so-"
"Hey!"
The two began giggling, adding some bright color to the endless white masterpiece, then the older mare gave her daughter a little shove.
"Oh, hush, child, you know I love you."
"I'll try to remember that," Tealove sniffled away her frown, "So where's dad?"
"Ah," her mother looked upward, "Off serving his mission in a lesser glory. I was given specific instruction to come and talk with you..."
"Ah," Tealove echoed, looked up at the white sky, confusion, "So..he's not coming to see me?"
"Oh, Cute-Tea," she pulled her filly close, "He's going to be heart broken when I tell him after he returns, but he's off doing the work..to help ponies like you so one day they'll be able to live in the highest glory..forever with their families...you understand?"
Tealove wiped her nose, "Not really,...but I'd want him to do that for my family, so..when can we go see him?"
"Dear," her mother's expression softened with sadness, "I haven't come to welcome you to this place."
Tealove's heart skipped a beat. (She can't be sending me back...I don't belong there! Not as much here at least..but my family! Mom and dad and Aunt Raz-ama-taz and Grandpa Ivory...but Bon-Bon. Big Mac...surely they'd understand..and they're sure to join us here soon enough! Oh, Tea, you horrible hay bag! Wishing your friends to die...but they'd..understand...)
Tears slowly began welling back into her eyes.
"Tealove," her mother firmly said, wrapping her wing tightly around her daughter, "You have much to do, so much to do! You have no idea what's left for you, and I know that's..scary at times, but..oh, Cute-Tea..."
The two embraced as Tealove let out another stream of tears.
"I'll be sure to tell your dad that..you say hi," the mother promised, smoothing back the mare's flowing mane, "But this isn't goodbye. You know I'm always-"
"I know!" Tealove angrily sobbed, "You're always there! In the house, in my heart-well, I can't live like that anymore! You're..you're never there for me!!"
The older mare waited until Tealove had cried herself dry and was left to just hiccup, then she whispered carefully into her ear, "Tealove. You have no idea how many lives you've changed just by staying alive. You've made mistakes, you've felt that and loads more pain, and you've enduring years, years that I regret, alone."
Tealove trembled as her mother took her hooves and locked into her gaze.
"But you know what else you've felt?" her mother asked, "Love. Power. Bravery. Hard work. Sacrifice. Loyalty. Friendship because family wasn't there, and you know what? That's all that matters."
The younger mare, feeling no older than a school filly, sniffled, "But..I never-"
"You are strong, Tealove," her mother confirmed, "Stronger and more powerful than many mares I know...and when you're up here, you know everypony, so..nopony can do what you can do. You are irreplaceable and necessary to this mortal plan. I believe in you. Your dad believes in you. Everypony, and I mean everypony, believes in you, is cheering you on, and we're always here for you. True, you can't see us, but.."
Tealove's lip began quivering again, but her mom put a gentle hoof under her chin to stop it.
"Guardian angels."
Tealove wiped her eyes, "What?"
"Guardian angels," she repeated, "For every good deed you do, for every pony you help, you gain one more Guardian angel. One of your relatives, in fact, and they watch over you, protect you as long as you choose the right. They can guide you, prompt you with their whispers, and they're always there for company..so you're never alone. Do you understand, Love?"
This time, Tealove soaked in her mother's words and managed a nod, "Yah..I do..but..Mom? Are you one of my..Guardian angels?"
Her mother smiled," Of course I am, Love. And I'm always there, always watching, listening..and you'd better be good or I'll have to report you to-"
"Mom," Tealove gave the mare a gentle push, but quietly giggled with her. Then the realm fell silent. Except it wasn't silent.
From the swirling black hole came the muffled sounds of Big Mac and Bon-Bon's battle back in Equestria. Tealove gazed down at her friends, watched the tears and blood fly, saw the way Big Mac dove to protect her body from being covered by a bookshelf that suddenly collapsed. She felt her mother's warm fur brushing against her shoulder.
Then Tealove turned to face her.
"I'm going," she whispered.
This time her mother's eyes filled with tears, "That's my Cute-Tea."
Tealove allowed her mom to squeeze her one last time, then she took on last breath of her rain and pine tree aroma and turned back to the black, pooling light.
She took in a deep breath, gazed down at the world she was about to return to, then she peered back at her mother. The graceful mare seemed to fading, growing to match the white landscape. Tealove gave a gentle smile. Her mother returned the farewell with a grin then by lowering her head to a bow. Then Tealove returned her attention ahead. She didn't glance back to see if her mom was still watching because she knew she was, even if she couldn't see her.
And with one last breath, Tealove plunged into the black depths of her future.
Tealove gasped, choked for air. Her head throbbed, but only the slightest. Her legs felt like jelly, she was the dirtiest she'd ever been in her whole life, but she was alive.The sharp, metallic scent of blood filled her nose. Splinters of wood and shards of glass paved the ground also scattered with bullets. Gunshots, cries of pain, screams of rage, the rash of wood, the shatter of glass all filled the thickening atosphere. She was ready.
In one swift movement, Tealove rose to her hooves, ran blindly into the fight, screaming her battle cry, then she instantly collided with Thunderclap.
"Tealove!" she heard Bon-Bon exclaim, but all the mare's attention was on her dumb struck opponent.
"What the-!?" the black stallion stammered, but was cut off when Tealove bucked him straight in the gut.
"Go!" Tealove screamed to her friends who'd been frozen with shock, and before she could give more direction, she was tackled to the ground by Sugar Kiss.
"Coming back from the dead, are we?" she snarled and punched her viticm's eye.
Tealove's vision burst burst into a million colored pixels then she blindly kicked out and by the yelp Sugar Kiss gave, she'd hit on target.
“Stop!” somepony bellowed as Tealove rose to her hooves over a cowering Sugar Kiss, then Flare bucked her with bone breaking force straight in the flank.
Tealove’s legs instantly gave out and she collapsed only to be hit again in the chest. She gasped for air, head spinning, then Flare rose a third time to strike, but was clubbed in the head by Big Mac and fell to the floor, unconscious.
“Stop them!!” a strangled cry from Thunderclap echoed as Big Mac pulled Tealove toward the exit where Bon-Bon was holding a beeping, black metallic disc.
“Go!” the mare shoved her two friends into the small stone chamber by the door as the two Broke guards charged toward them.
“Come on!” Tealove called to Bon-Bon as their pursuers raised their guns, her disc’s beeping growing faster, but Bon-Bon waited until the stallions were only feet away, then she threw the disc like a Frisbee as hard as she could.
“RUN!”
But before the three could get farther than the brick alley exit, the whole right wall exploded.Fire, smoke, and rubble shot out and Tealove was slammed against the opposite wall, but she hadn’t hit brick. Her head was against fur scented with fresh apples, one large, protecting hoof was wrapped around her and when the mare dared to look up, Big mac was looking right back at her.
Tealove suddenly went limp in the stallion’s arms. The warmth, the safety, everything seemed to be perfect, but that was until the night guards burst from the explosion.
“GET THEM!”
The ponies shot down the alley, dodging bullets, then they broke into the streets and galloped, full speed, into the traffic. The skid of tires, the flash of lights, and the scream of angry drivers filled the cold night air as the chase continued into deserted streets that weaved the ponies through the city. They skid around corners, slammed into walls, plowed over trash cans, then the sirens of police cars were added to the screaming night.
Tealove’s heart was racing. Her limbs felt like they were going to fall off, her heart couldn’t pump blood fast enough, she was going to faint. The noise around her echoed within her pounding ahead, she began to stumble over her own hooves, then the police car skid onto the street, joining the chase.
“Stop in the name of Celestia!” a mare’s voice blared from behind them, but Big Mac didn’t even slow down, so Tealove pushed on, fighting off the sickening urge to puke. Dots were splashing into her vision as the three swung around another corner and then- dead end.
The asphalt cut at Tealove’s hooves as she skid to a stop, almost coming nose to nose with a brick wall. The police car spun to a stop then three cops galloped out to join the two Broke guards. Bon-Bon, Big Mac and Tealove pressed close together as five guns were pointed at each of their heads.
“Outnumbered again,” one of the guards snarled.
“End of the line, you three!” the lead police mare barked, “Now come quietly or we’ll fire!”
“Bon-Bon,” Tealove warned under her breathe as the other mare began fiddling with her belt.
“Quiet!” the police shouted, “You there! Set down those weapons or-!”
PLOOF.
The alley exploded into a rainbow of multicolored smoke. Tealove coughed violently as cries arose from their attackers, then Big Mac took hold of her hoof, which Tealove was surprised to see was glowing.
“What are you-?”
Big Mac’s eyes were alight, his hooves above the ground, and with a giant blast of gold, a swirling portal was formed on the wall behind them.
"Jump in!" the stallion shouted as the smoke began to fade, then the police ponies saw what was happening.
"STOP!" the lead mare commanded.
Tealove hopped into the portal after Big Mac, Bon-Bon following her, then the light started shifting, spinning and morphing their bodies into the brightness as the dark alley slowly faded and their hotel room began to appear at the opposite end of the vortex. Tealove just started to relax when Bon-Bon screamed.
"You're not getting away!!" It was the police, holding onto Bon-Bon's hind hoof and pulling her back toward the alley.
"Help!!!" she shrieked as she began slipping from the portal's light.
"Hold on!!" Tealove shouted and lunged to grab Bon-Bon's hooves, then began pulling as hard as she could, "Big Mac, help!"
The stallion quickly came to her assistance, but at the same time, the other two police and night guards were rushing forward and now had a hold on both Bon-Bon's legs.
"I'm slipping!" Bon-Bon cried.
"Just hold on!" Tealove ordered, but she felt the portal sucking her away from its entrance, farther from her friend.
Bon-Bon struggled to kick out at the ponies pulling her back, but that only caused Tealove to loose her grip and was soon only holding onto one of Bon-Bon's hooves.
"It's..shutting!" Big Mac shouted as the portal began closing in on Bon-Bon.
"Then..make it stop!!" Tealove screamed back, but it was too late. The portal pulled her back. Bon-Bon's hoof slipped and the last thing Tealove heard was a scream, saw the mare fall to the cement ground, then Tealove and Big Mac were thrown onto the carpet of their suite, tumbling back until they crashed into the wall. Then the golden portal was whisked away and all was dark.
It took her a moment to process everything, then Tealove jumped to her hooves, "Bon-Bon!" she shrieked, running in circles where the portal had been just seconds ago, but it was gone. Bon-Bon was gone.
"No, no, no, no," Tealove sunk to the ground, choking on tears, "Mac! What are we going to do?! We have to go back and-!"
"It's too late," the stallion cut her off miserably, "They'd have already taken her off..no clue where."
"We at least have to try and rescue her!" Tealove pressed, "Maybe they'll put her in jail, or...what if the Brokes have her?! We should check the prison first...I have no clue where that is, but...or the Headquarters! Except it exploded, so..."
Big Mac placed a hoof on the mare's shoulder. Tealove looked into his eyes and quickly fell silent. She knew his answer.
There was nothing they could do. Nothing except wait and hope that Princess Celestia knew what to do.
Canterlot castle. The library. Princess Celestia's mane was quite frizzed, tied back in a pony tail. Countless books were strewn across the ground, pages crumpled from excessive flipping. (Yah, I was never much of a reader myself.)
Tealove stood by, watching from beside a tapestry sewn to depict Star Swirl the Bearded banishing the sirens. She didn't even remember having the feeling she usually did whenever she was sucked to some place else in Equestria. She had just gone to bed, crying herself to sleep, and then-bang-there she was. (Hm. Can't tell if this is a dream or another vision-thingy.)
Tealove watched as Celestia took three more books no thinner than a special edition dictionary off of a shelf (oh, thank Celestia I'm not a princess) and set them down on her podium to begin further reading. While the Princess read, Tealove ran a hoof down the spines of the books closest to her, reading each title down the line. 'Yackyackistan and You', 'Yams are Magic', 'Yellow Sunshine, Gold Tomorrow'....then somepony entered the room.
"Your Majesty," Beach Mark dipped into a deep a deep bow, "There's news!"
The Princess quickly straightened then , sounding groggy, said, "Good..is it from the three?"
"No," Mark swaggered forward with a scroll floating at his side, "Nothing from them in quite a while, but this one is even more exciting! It's the chief of the Arabians asking about the renovations on their water fountain plaza transporting the crystal falls to their springs. They'd like to be updated on the progress!"
"Beach Mark," Celestia firmly whinnied, taking her letter, "You know how I feel about you reading my mail."
"Oh, but it's for your own protection, your Majesty!" Mark exclaimed as if it were a crime to not read one's mail, "Don't want any harm coming to Equestria, now do we?"
"No. We don't," Princess Celestia replied as her eyes darted across the parchment the she reached for a quill, "Big Mark, could you fetch me some ink? I'm afraid I used the last on-"
"Princess!!" Mark cried suddenly.
A black figure swiftly rose from behind Celestia, clubbed her across the head, cutting off the Princess's cries, then the pony flung a potato sack over her head and ran off the balcony as blood seeped through the bottom of the sack and-"
"No!" Tealove sat straight up with a jolt, causing her back to crack and blood rush to her head.
She was in bed, in a tangle of sheets with her pillow somehow now on the ground. A book was also on her lap titled 'Yams are Magic'. (It was real. And I was there. Sucked in! Like Sugar Kiss said...) A light sweat covered the mare. She scanned the room, thankful to see Big Mac still asleep in Bon-Bon's bed, but at the same time her heart sank. Bon-Bon was still gone...and now the Princess!
"Big Mac!" Tealove shook the stallion desperately, "Wake up, wake UP! It's important!"
"Whudduhm?" he mumbled, rolling over to turn his back on Tealove.
"Big Mac!" Tealove sighed, exasperated, then resolved to writing a letter to Canterlot castle, alerting the kingdom of the kidnapping of their Princess (I also made sure to mention Bon-Bon's captivity. Isn't the world so lucky to have me?).
Once she'd finished tying a perfect bow around her parchment letter, Tealove copied what she'd seen Bon-Bon once do and took her communication pearl (after ripping Flare's necklace to shreds and shipping it off to Yackyackistan while trying not to burst into angry, miserable tears) and rolled it through her scroll. Tealove focused her thoughts on Celestia and Discord, then, as the pearl fell through the letter, the parchment was set to green flames, and once the pearl dropped out of its opposite end, the scroll was whisked out the window in a blur of green.
Now that that was taken care of, Tealove felt just a little more calm, just relaxed enough to take a nice, long shower and put her worries back to the second row seats of her brain. By the time she was ready to seize the day, Big Mac had gotten up and made the two a small breakfast on their suite's balcony. And even though the yolks of his fried eggs had popped, even though they didn't have a garnish, even though his muffins were lopsided with an uneven distribution of chocolate chips and blueberries, Tealove enjoyed every bit of it.(The fact that he even tried to make breakfast was absolutely adorable.)
There was a fresh, chilly breeze in the air, birds were twittering, cars were zipping by and the sun was making the whole world glow a gorgeous gold. (Huh. I was expecting there to be no sun since Celestia is kidnapped...)
"So have you heard anything from Bon-Bon?" Tealove asked only halfheartedly as she cut into her mini muffin.
The stallion just shook his head, "Her pearl's been disconnected, bu' I sent a letter to the Princess an'-"
Just at that moment, a swirl of green flew onto the balcony and spun to form a scroll of parchment. Tealove jumped up (well that was a fast reply!) then flattened the parchment on the able and quickly scanned the letter. The she read it again.
"What's it?" Big Mac asked.
"It's...well, just not the reply I was hoping for. It's from Celestia and she told me not to worry..because she'd perfectly safe...and she know where Bon-Bon is!! Oh, thank goodness she's safe, but...I guess it was just a dream..except how in the hay would a book about magic yams pop into my sheets if it weren't-" due to the look Big Mac was giving, her, Tealove decided to move on.
"Ahem...then she said she wants to meet with us at Cherry Stark for an..information exchange."
"Mm," was Big Mac's response, then he took their dirty dishes back into the suite for cleaning.
"Wait!" Tealove trotted after him with the teaspoons and saucer, "You know where that is, right? Because I have no clue and if the Princess wants to-"
"I' been there alright," Big Mac scrubbed grimly at Tealove's china plates (which I totally packed in case of an emergency) "An' it ain't a pretty place tuh be."
Only about an hour later (what? I had to make myself look presentable for the public!) Big Mac and Tealove were trotting down a very narrow street that seemed to be almost completely abandoned.The sky was gray, the gutters were streaming with water and Tealove just almost hear a muted trumpet singing in the background.
The mare nervously readjusted her (oh so fashionable) sunglasses then tightened her trench coat's belt. Big Mac was dressed the same way, and even though Tealove had insisted that their 'disguise' would give them away, he'd just smiled and pushed her into the bathroom so she could change into her new beige look. (At least I got to wear an amazing, old fashion, detective like dress underneath. With a scarf. That made me feel a little better.)
As the two turned a corner, Tealove spotted three cloaked ponies taking part in some kind of exchange, but they quickly separated when Big Mac and Tealove trotted past and when they turned down another street, two mares in veils and scarlet trench coats were seen trading velvet sacks that were trailing blue dust, but swiftly turned their back on the two passerby. (Well, now we don't seem very out of place. This place is like spy heaven!)
"What kind of neighborhood is Cherry Stark?" Tealove asked under her breath as they passed a little filly whose face was shadowed by a hood and was selling a box of kittens for something called Ivory Leaf Syrup.
"One where ya' can't trust nopony," Big Mac gruffly replied, then became stiff as he looked toward a darkened corner, "There she is."
If it weren't for Big Mac, Tealove would have passed right on that corner. It was a similar scene to all the rest in Cherry Stark-a tall mare in a long trench coat, hat and sunglasses was leaning against a brick wall that had a small dribble of water weaving through the seams. The mare was obviously a unicorn, but Tealove had a hard time believing that was their Princess and had to stifle some laughter.
"Princess Celestia," Big Mac nodded his head as they drew close.
"Wonderful to see you two," the mare replied sweetly, "I've got the newest information on where Princess Luna and Bon-Bon have been taken, so I think you'll be quite happy to read this," she took a file folder out from behind her that had the words 'FOR YOUR HOOVES ONLY' printed on the front in big black letters. The tab was labeled with what was apparently to whom it was addressed to, 'Mac...Big Mac'.
"Really?" Tealove snorted as Big Mac took the folder and tucked it deep inside his trench coat, "Is that what you're known as in the spy world?"
"Eyup," was the surprising reply.
"Oh," (Well then..wasn't expecting that.)
"Thank ya', Princess," Big Mac nodded in farewell.
"You're mission will soon be done, so don't loose hope," Celestia whispered, "and good luck."
The ponies separated then, when they'd turned a corner and Tealove was sure nopony was around to hear, she asked, "I think it's now appropriate to have the world call me Love...Tealove."
Big Mac decided not to argue and replied instead with a chuckle.
When the two returned to their suite, Big Mac instantly opened up Celestia's file and spread its contents across their writing desk. Tealove peered down at the letter which was written in bullet points, the picture displaying an unknown stallion in a white tuxedo and a fancy invitation asked the ponies to join the Brokes for a 'find your inner democrat' seminar.
"Why would she give us-?"
"Manehatten," Big Mac suddenly said as he scanned the set of notes.
"What?" Tealove leaned in to examine the letter, but then the stallion returned everything to its folder and said,
"Pack your bags, Tealove. We're headin' for Manehatten."
"You're not serious," Tealove almost laughed as she looked at the snow laden valley below, "I haven't even played in the snow since.." (Since dad died.)
"'M serious," Big Mac grinned as he zipped up a green jacket over his turtle neck, "Gotta 'njoy it while it lasts!"
Tealove sighed and pulled her blue hat (with an adorable puff ball on the top!) further over her face to shield herself from the nipping breeze, "Okay...but if I die, you'd better find somepony to take care of my business by suing you! And you get to go down first so if it's not actually safe, you'll be the one to die. And you can't sue me because it wasn't my fault that the two of us came all the way up here to-!"
"Yep!" Big Mac cut in before Tealove got too worked up, "Now, come on."
The mare tugged at the sweater Big Mac had bought for her back at the Salt Lick City train rest stop and wished he'd chosen a thicker fabric because she was still getting horrible chills from the freezing weather. Tealove then followed Big Mac's example by fitting on a pair of black goggles then clicking all four hooves onto a pair a skis.
"Ya' ready?"
Tealove swallowed hard. (No. Too high. Way too high. How in the hay are these skinny little planks going to support my anyways? I'm just gonna tumble down this hill and end up trapped in a giant snow ball like in the cartoons! This is insane. How mad was the pony that invented this..this sport?! I'd rather face off with Thunderclap again than break my face falling down a hill!! Okay, that was a lie.)
"Tealove? Ya ready?"
She quickly cleared her throat, "Ahem...I should say not! You are the one, kind sir, who is going down this thing first! Remember? So I don't die."
Big Mac smirked, "An' how do I know ya' aren't gonna just stay put here while I-?"
"What kind of dishonest pony do you think I am?" Tealove exclaimed in a tone that was like a quieter version of the Royal Canterlot Voice, "Kind sir, you have the worst judgments and I must protest that I get my-AHHHHH!"
In the middle of her rant, Big Mac had grabbed Tealove's hoof and pulled her off the platform, sending the two speeding across the hill's snowy surface.
"YOU HORRIBLE!" Tealove screeched as she zipped wobbly down the hill, struggling to keep balance and forcing her eyes to stay open so she could avoid the many pine trees scattered along the slant, "VILE! WRETCHED PONY! WHEN WE GET OFF OF THESE THINGS I'M GOING TO-!"
Big Mac gave the mare a friendly shove and sent Tealove sliding and screaming into a zig-zaged path that somepony before them had skied in.
"AHHHHHH!" Tealove shrieked as Big Mac laughed, gliding across the snow effortlessly, skiing circles around his friend who soon decided that it was time for revenge.
Tealove tried to recall all she could when Big Mac had been explaining how skiing worked, then put it right to use by leaning left and shoving herself right into the stallion who'd been caught quite off guard. He stumbled back as Tealove laughed victoriously, but Big Mac almost instantly came back and zipped in front of her so quickly and so close that she was sent spinning, spraying snow everywhere. Tealove regained her control only after Big Mac came to help, and before he could get out of range, the mare skid sideways, sending a heap of snow a top the stallion.
It went back and forth all the way down the hill. Tealove shoved Big Mac, Big Mac directed Tealove so she was sent skiing right off a ledge, but Tealove took advantage to the situation by landing only inches from Big Mac and shoving him to the ground. Soon enough, the ponies realized that they'd skied down the same hill eight times, but on the ninth, Tealove decided she was too tired to give Big Mac another shove (and I was NOT admitting defeat, so don't listen to whatever story Big Mac makes up) and the two just glided down the hill, peacefully sailing along, side by side. And that's when Tealove felt something swell inside her, something she'd felt not too long ago.
(No. I can't let myself fall in love. Never again. Ever. Not after Flare.) and when this thought came as Tealove and Big Mac were gazing at one another, smiling, Tealove's expression dampened. The stallion instantly noticed and leaned over to give the mare a gentle head butt. Tealove returned the favor with a shove.
"Come again soon!" the mare at the ski renting counter called as Big Mac an Tealove trotted toward the store's exit after returning their skis.
"Thank you!" Tealove waved, wiping her numb nose on her sleeve, then the ponies stepped back into the cold, now facing the entrance bridge to Manehatten.
"Told ya' skiin' was faster than walkin'," Big Mac pointed out as Tealove hailed a taxi, (I almost fell off the curb though because my head suddenly felt like somepony was clenching it) then, after the cab drove them into the bustling, wintry streets of the city, the ponies hopped out and joined the crowd of lights, music and drama that filled Manehatten.
It took a while, (at least trotting is faster than trying to zip through that deadly traffic) but in about an hour, Big Mac and Tealove had weaved through the hubbub and made it to a calmer village that felt loads more homey since there were so much less ponies around. They pushed through the snow, burning shivers running down Tealove's spine, as the sun began sinking into the horizon until they reached a large log cabin with a sign hanging above the door that read 'Mozy on over to the Golden Woods Cabin! Includes Holiday discounts'.
"Well, at least we won't go totally broke by sleeping here!" Tealove cheerfully said with a sniffle as they entered the cabin's rustic, warm lobby that had an antler chandelier (that seems wrong for some reason), walls decorated with fur canvas paintings (also seems wrong) and shelves lined with varieties of apple cider (well, at least they got something right).
"Welcome you all!" the mare bell hopper exclaimed in a horrible attempt at a southern accent, "I see ya' have mozied on down to find y'all selves a sleepin' place, am I right?"
Tealove covered her laughter with a snort, but that for some reason caused her to have a sudden head rush, "Ack! Ahem..yes! Yes we have indeed..," she squinted at a sign above the main desk that was the same as the one outside the door, then sniffled and read slowly, "Mozied on down to the Golden Woods Cabin...are you the pony in charge?"
"Well, I sure can be tuh ya' all!" the tan mare tugged off her bell hopper's cap to reveal curly locks of deep caramel color, then zipped off to stand behind the front desk, "Room fer two, I suppose? Or ya' all want a separate? Two connected?"
"Just one, thanks," Big Mac replied because Tealove was too busy trying not to laugh and ended up coughing her lungs out to stop herself. Then that led to a series of sneezes which surprisingly sent Tealove's head spinning.
"All righty then, ya' all!" the mare cheered and slid a pair of keys across the counter, "I'm Honey Fluff by the way, and I will be here for ya' all whenever ya' all need me, so don't be afraid tuh call, ya' all!"
"Eyup," Big Mac began pushing Tealove towards the stairs, "Thank ya' a- you."
Once they reached the second floor and was sure Honey Fluff wouldn't hear them, the ponies burst out laughing, so loud and so long, it gave Tealove a headache, and only once they were done unpacking their bags did the giggles finally die off. Then Tealove started coughing again. And sneezing. And choking. And by the time Big Mac returned from asking Honey Fluff for a refill of toilet paper, Tealove had used up a whole tissue box and had a throbbing headache.
"Uh..'re you okay?" the stallion asked as Tealove groaned on the rabbit fur couch (may I once again say-for some reason, no clue why, that seems wrong) shivering even under her sweater and beanie. (Oh, yes, dear Mac, I'm perfectly fine. Do return to enjoying that new roll of toilet paper. I'll just sit here until my head explodes and takes me out of my misery.)
Big Mac quickly trotted over when Tealove didn't reply (oblivious stallions) and after observing the situation, put forth the suggestion, "I think ya' might be sick."
(NO DER.)
The stallion quickly fetched something from his suitcase and wrapped it tightly around Tealove. It was a large quilt, apple themed and decorated with a few buttons that were stitched together to form an Apple family portrait. There was a mare and a stallion whom Tealove didn't recognize. (His parents.)
She looked up to thank him, but then one of Big Mac's hooves rose to touch her cheek, which instantly began to burn a deep scarlet.
"Ya' might have a fever," he reported, "Need more blankets?"
"Actually..could you make me some tea? The recipe is in by bag..."
"Ya' don't got one o' those instant tea packet?" Big Mac asked as he examined one of Tealove's recipe cards from her Tea Room, "Cause that'd be a lot easier."
"Pff," Tealove waved him away with a tissue, "Those phony packets aren't even half as good as actual tea..I'll make you a cup..sometime."
So Big Mac set to work brewing tea. It was a long process. Tealove had to direct his actions sometimes from on the couch and once had to scream to stop him when he was about to pour in a tablespoon of honey instead of a quarter teaspoon. The mare knew she'd have had the concoction done twenty minutes earlier than Big Mac, but every time she'd rose to her hooves to take over, the stallion would rush to sit her back on the couch, saying he had everything under control. So Big Mac made his first cup of tea.
With just the first sip, Tealove sensed that he'd added an eighth of a teaspoon too much ginger and his so called 'secret ingredient' he'd insisted on adding, no matter how much Tealove had screamed at him that it would ruin the whole thing, had also found its way into the drink. She kept her comments to herself though and gave Big Mac a smile, hoping that would make up for all of the screaming that had happened between them for the last hour.
"Thanks," Tealove whispered as Big Mac joined her on the couch and wrapped both his arms around the mare's shoulders, holding her tight. His warm breath brushed at Tealove's cheek, his soft, apple aroma filled her senses and the stallion's heart gently beat into her ear.
"Ya' need anything else?"
"No," Tealove snuggled closer to Big Mac and yawned, "I have everything I'll ever need...."
(This next part is great because I was actually sleeping well for once in my life and everything felt perfect, just as it should, like my life was starting to make sense until...)
Two hooves jerked Tealove off the couch, making her scream, but then another hoof came to cover her cry. She was wide awake now, all senses on edge and Tealove was about to thrash her way free when a black, sparkling rope filled with holes was lassoed around her, clamping her limbs together and even though that rope looked like it could be easily torn, Tealove couldn't move a muscle.
And then, before she could even think, the horn on one of her three attackers burst to light and just like that, the cozy cabin room was gone and Tealove found herself in a dark, cold, spacious chamber. Her captors instantly released her and Tealove quickly jumped up (to kick some major kidnapping butt!!) but a voice from the front of the room caused her to freeze on the spot.
"Well, well, my dear old friend! It's been years! I was quite offended when you did't send me any invitations to join you for tea, but..well, I took care of this get together, so your welcome.
Tealove recognized that voice. The voice of her nightmares, the voice that haunted her for eight years, taunting her whenever she found herself alone, the voice that had the final word at their last meeting, the voice of the pony she grew to fear, but even more so to hate. The voice of Queen Chrysalis.
Tealove whipped around to face the throne and found herself screaming on the top her lungs, "RELEASE ME AT ONCE!!!!!"
"How rude," Chrysalis almost looked offended, "I didn't even bring out the crumpets yet."
(Crumpets and tea. What a stupid cliche.)
"LET ME GO NOW!!!"
"Temper, temper," the Queen smirked at Tealove's heaving chest, red face, and the way she was suddenly staggering because of how light headed all the screaming had made her, "I brought you here for a reason and one reason only. Then I'll set you free and life will skip along as it was. Sounds good?"
Tealove was shaking with such rage, she couldn't manage to answer. Images of her parents were flashing through her mind, the scene that took place in that very room kept replaying itself over and over in her brain. It was going to drive her insane, cause her to go mad, to have no way to take out her anger and misery except by ending her own life to stop the whole thing-NO. (Mom sent me back here for a reason. She's here. What would she do? Stay calm, that's what.)
Tealove took a deep breath, suddenly feeling the weakness from her sickness seeping back into her body, and she became limp, the room was slightly spinning and at the thought of her mother, she wanted to break down.
"Why..did you bring me here?" Tealove feebly asked, trying to keep her buckling knees straight enough to stand.
Queen Chrysalis licked at her fangs and a cackle rose from her throat, "Oh, the poor filly! Don't worry, I'll make this quick so you can return to your beddy-bye time."
The older mare lit her horn to a glimmering green as her Changling assistants pressed closer to Tealove to keep her from escaping, then a jet of light flew from Chrysalis's horn to the ceiling which cracked though the room and lit up every shadow in the chamber. The black that had been behind the Queen's thrown was now taking shape, gaining color, Tealove's eyes grew wide, she screamed at the sight. Chrysalis laughed hysterically.
"Behold, Miss Clovers!" she declared, "The newest additions to my collection!!"
Three green, gooey pods were hanging from the ceiling and within each of their depths was a pony. The first, Princess Celestia, then Bon-Bon and Princess Luna, all upside down and (I assume) unconscious.
"NO!" Tealove shrieked, "BON-BON!! What have you done?!!!"
"Oh, calm down," Queen Chrysalis waved at the mare as she trotted down the row of pods, looking hungrily at each, "I haven't done much with them. Yet. But soon, soon they will be my newest sources of love, power and energy!!" she took another minute to laugh and the Changlings began to join in when-
"No!" Chrysalis suddenly screamed, "No, I laugh by myself! It's not as special if everypony does it...this is MY victory!! Ahem..anyways, I'm sure, little Love, that you're wondering how in Equestria I got a hold of these ponies!"
Tealove screamed and tried to run forward, eyes glued to Bon-Bon, but the Changlings quickly caught her and one gave her a little nip on the shoulder as a warning. The bite, though small, burned like nothing else and instantly began bleeding.
"Now, none of that," Queen Chrysalis said, "Where was I..oh yes! I got a hold of these wonderful little gems because of a pony you've learned to fear..other than me...Ringo."
"I've only heard of her once!!" Tealove growled.
"Well, now that's twice," the Queen counted, "Yes, Ringo. I know you've been in on our little alliance, Tealove, and I know your powers. A strong you've got, but you give yourself away much too easily.
"You see, Ringo and I have been working as one. To soon rule Equestria with the help of her Broke forces to..well, there isn't much overthrowing to do know that the Princesses are out of the way. All we have to do is make due with the Royal Guard-that'll be a piece of cake-and then we'll be rulers of Equestria!! And Ringo and I are bound in quite an agreement. She brings me ponies to feed off of, I continue to renew her temporary Changling powers, and you've actually met with my dear friend today. You had an information exchange with Celestia, didn't you?"
Tealove was too confused to respond.
Chrysalis rolled her eyes, "Well, you did, but how is that possible if I have the Princess, as you saw yourself in a so called 'dream'? Well, that was Ringo, using her Changling powers. She only brought you to Manehatten because that's where she rules that area's Brokes! Hm, hm..and here comes the part where I get what I want for once..."
Tealove shifted, pained, under the restraint of the Changlings.
"Kill Ringo."
"What?!" Tealove cried, "But you're going to rule Equestria together! She made it so you could-!"
"Exactly!!" Chrysalis burst, "Ringo expects me to rule as a second hoof mare! Well, I'm the one doing most of the work, and I refuse to work under a mare such as her, so it is I how deserve the crown! ME! And you will kill Ringo, kill her with this knife!" a dagger, silver encrusted and sprinkled with jewels, was slid across the stone floor to Tealove's hooves, "I'll give you three days to do it, and if you for some reason decide NOT to follow through" the Queen's horn glowed menacingly, "then I WILL KILL your friends!!"
Bon-Bon. The Princesses.
"NO!" Tealove cried, "You can't! I won't-!!"
"Oh, but you will," Chrysalis sneered then flew forward until she was nose to nose with her prisoner, then she placed the beautiful dagger into a saber and began tying it Tealove's wrist. The Queen then hissed, "You will do this, Tealove Van Clovers. I'll give you some time to think about it. Until then-" the mare pulled the string so hard into a knot around Tealove's arm that it cut into her skin and began bleeding.
"I'll see you soon," Chrysalis snarled as Tealove cowered in pain, then the Queen's horn glowed once more, enveloping her victim, then, with a final zap, Tealove was sucked from the wretched place and shoved back into her cabin room with Big Mac still sound asleep on the couch.
The suddenly pressure change made Tealove's head throb, the warmth stung her cuts and as the mare tried to catch her breath, she gazed down at the dagger tied to her wrist and knew that her fate was inevitable.
“Ya’ sure you’re okay?” Big Mac asked as he and Tealove rode down Manehattan's snowy streets, the pink sun rising above the skyscraper lined horizon, the two bumping along in a carriage, each dressed their finest and seated across from each other. Tealove hugged herself tightly, gazing out the window emotionlessly, and let her sigh fog up the carriage window.
“Mhm,” she nodded (for the fourth time).
She hadn’t told him about the night before. She’d told Big mac that her new injury was simply a paper cut. Big Mac said paper doesn’t cut that deep. Tealove retorted that it had been construction paper.
“Tealove…” Big Mac began wrapping his suit coat around the mare’s shoulders, but she sharply pushed him away and snapped,
“I’m fine.”
The stallion slowly sat back down. Tealove laid her head against the window and huffed. The rest of that ride was silent. When they stopped at an old, boarded up laundromat,Tealove didn’t take Big Mac’s outstretched hoof as she stepped off the carriage. Once their ride zipped out of sight, the two ponies approached the building and, following what Celestia’s notes told them (well, Celestia’s evil twin’s notes), inserted their seminar invitation into the mail slot. Then they waited.
Tealove shivered in her blue, slitted dress and pearl earrings. Most of the city’s snow had melted overnight, but there were still patches of it here and there. The mountains off in the distant were still doused in white powder, but Manehattan wasn’t one to let such things dirty their metropolis.
The sliding of a metal lock brought Tealove’s attention back to the laundromat. The door was now ajar, looking as if it were about to break off its hinges as somepony’s eye peeked out into the open.
“Password, please,” a young stallion’s voice said, sounding oh so proud that he was left to man the door by himself.
Big Mac stayed silent, so Tealove scowled and replied, "To Ringo we'll ride, to the end we have lied, Broke is the only whole, power to the ponies, full."
Silence. Muttering. Shuffling of index cards (and I defiantly know what that sounds like) then the voice suddenly burst,
"Then welcome to the party!"
The door clunked close, more locks clattered and clicked, then the entrance became clear and there on the threshold stood a long legged, scrawny, caramel stallion with blonde hair, a suit top that looked as if it'd been torn off a fairy tale prince (the giant glasses sliding down his muzzle erased every hint of love at first sight though) and a large name tag on his chest read 'ROLO'.
"Come on in!" the young stallion cheered, taking a bow but loosing his balance and tumbling to the the ground. He quickly pretended to play it off though and ended up laying on the ground while resting his head on a hoof and looked up at the guests as if everything were normal, "Ahem..come in! Breakfast is being served!"
"Thanks," Tealove took the lead, ignoring what had just happened, and trotted into a large room that was anything but what you'd expect to be in a rundown laundromat.
The tile floor was glittering, washing machines had been covered with table clothes and were now being eaten on, clothing racks had been turned into a hanging for jugs you could tilt to pour yourself a drink, dryers had somehow been transformed into refrigerators the ponies were lined up to reach into a grab their choice of food and the whole room was lit with chandeliers that seemed to be made of pure bubbles.
"Okay," Tealove grunted, "You got the picture?"
"Yep," Big Mac slipped the photo of the stallion that had been enclosed in Celestia's folder (I can't believe I was that close to the Broke's leader..no wonder the Princess was acting so cheesy) from hi tuxedo pocket.
"Good. So we're looking for this guy and once we do, get him to tell us where Ringo is then we'll-"
"You know!" Rolo suddenly popped up in between Big Mac and Tealove, "As the son of Ringo, I've been given the very special responsibility of manning the door!"
"Um..," Tealove glanced towards Big Mac, but then Rolo suddenly lost his balance and toppled to the floor with a crash.
He grinned sheepishly, "he he..," then hopped to his hooves, staggering for only a moment, "Yah! I get to most important job! The job of-!"
"Goody for you!" Tealove cut in and began trotting away, but the she found herself crashing muzzle to muzzle with Rolo.
"Do I know you?" he asked, backing Tealove into wall with a snort as he pushed his glasses closer to his face, "You look familiar. Do I look familiar? Cause you look familiar."
"No," Tealove pushed Rolo's face away, "leave me alone."
"Are you okay?" the young stallion chirped, "Wow, you have a lot of scars..you must be tough! Did you get in a fight?"
Tealove snorted, "Yes, I got in a fight."
"Ravaging Ringo!" Rolo gasped comically, "That's so cool! Can I get in a fight? Would I win? Did you win yours? Was it fun?"
"Yes, I won and no, you're too scrawny to fight."
"I am?" Rolo looked himself over, "Well...do you think I'd look good with muscles? I tried lifting the milk jug once," he shoved his glasses up is muzzle, "but that's pretty heavy..should I start with something easier or jump right in? I could try lifting a-!"
"Washing machine!" Tealove butted in, pushing Rolo to the side and hurrying to Big Mac's side, "Hey look, there's one over there! How about you go try that one and come back in..an hour and we'll see you later!"
Rolo gasped, his eyes grew big, "You think I could do that?"
Tealove grimaced (oh, how glorious the world would be without stallions), "Yes. You can. Now go before somepony starts using it as a table!"
"Rolo shall prevail!" the stallion cheered, flexing his (nonexistent) muscles causing his glasses to slide down his muzzle, then, after pushing them back up against his face, zipped off, "I'll make you proud!"
"Ah. Great," Tealove grumbled, then she shoved Big Mac towards the breakfast line, "Come on, let's go before some other pony decides to make me proud."
The Broke's food was actually pretty good (but I shouldn't have eaten so much. two whole mini muffins and five apple slices was overdoing it big time, especially because I wasn't in the mood to cut everything to Tea Room size). Big Mac ended up going for thirds and even Tealove took another apple slice (after Big Mac suddenly found the courage to explain which apples were the sweetest, most crispy, best for dips and the most sour. now I'm educated enough to have the best apples every time). The the ponies were ushered into the back room for the seminar.
That room was a lot less extravagant. It had a wooden floor, a bar, a stage in front of lines of chairs and some tables in the back where a few stallions were already glugging cider and playing cards. It was quiet, dim and on the stage was a brown stallions with barely any hair, wearing a gray turtle neck and-
"There he is!" Tealove hissed, "Ringo's captain..he looks a lot different than in his picture...but how're we going to talk with him if he's up there?"
"We'll haffta' wait til the seminar's done an' catch 'm afterwards," Big Mac whispered, "We could go sit in the-"
"You can do that," Tealove interrupted, "I think I'll o for a drink...I don't feel so well."
Big Mac's expression was a mix of disappointment and concern, but he simply nodded then trotted towards the audience.
Tealove sighed, feeling guilty for being glad that she was alone, then she sat herself down at the bar, ordered a raspberry lemon cider and stirred her glass absentmindedly as the seminar behind her began.
As Tealove gazed across the bar, she could almost see Flare sitting on the opposite side, looking mussed and sheepish just as he had when she first laid eyes on him. Her grip tightened on her straw at the thought. Tealove squeezed her eyes shut, forcing tears down as the whole scene played in the back of her mind, then the images shifted to when Flare and Sugar Kiss revealed their true colors...
(UGH!) Tealove shoved her cider away as one tear escaped, skipping down her cheek. (What's love that I know? Nothing! Love is nothing! I hate myself! The stupid stallion! I can't believe I ever-!"
"HEY!" somepony called from her left.
Tealove resentfully looked back to find it was a stallion sitting at one of the card playing tables, looking red in the face, more than the other two because this one's coat was white and bulging with muscle.
(I'll just pretend I didn't-)
"We're talkin' to you, sweet cakes!" one of the white stallion's friends shouted, waving his cards at Tealove, "Come 'n' join us for a game, eh, sweets! You gonna love it!"
Tealove stifled a laugh, suddenly feeling a small weight lift from her shoulder from giggling. (Should I..?)
"Eh, if you win, ya' get some perdy sweet loot!" the second stallion, who was a tan color with brown hair, called, patting the sacks on their table that were jingling with bits, "Better doin' this than brewin' over a broken heart an' a glass o' cider, eh?"
(How'd he-?)
"We promise we'll play fair!"
"YAH!!" the muscly white pegasus bellowed.
Tealove laughed freely this time, "Alright...I'm coming!"
The three stallions cheered as Tealove sat at an empty seat my the large, buff pony, trying to suppress her huge grin.
"Okay, stallions," the tan stallion with a cherry cutie mark, now sitting at Tealove's left, called the others to attention, "We've gotta go easy on this here filly! We don't want her to go off feeling broke and depressed, so keep your bids to a minimum-"
"Ahhh! But Cola!" the third stallion, who was dark blue all over with an eighth note cutie mark, whined, "It's not as fun if we don't-!"
"Shut your mouth, Worthy!" the stallion called Cola elbowed his friends in the stomach, "That don't be matterin'! We'll be nice and that's that. For the mare. Eh, pretty?"
Tealove usually would have been outraged at this kind of talk, but right then for some reason, she found herself laughing.
"Eh!" she raised her hoof in approval.
"Aye, then!" Cola cheered, "Let the games begin!"
"YAAAAH!!"
Tealove had never played cards the way those stallions did. She hadn't brought any bits, but Cola was nice enough to lend her a sack just for the night. The towering pegasus that Cola and Worthy called Bulk was making it hard to play sometimes though because he often slammed his cards on the table and roared, "YAH!!", making everything jump and scatter across the floor and playing surface. Everypony laughed it off though (it was too hilarious to get mad about!!) and sometimes all four ponies would just laugh for five minutes straight. Other times for so long they forgot whose turn it was, then that would lead to Bulk screaming "YAH!!" for who knows what reason, and then everything would start all over.
"WOO!" Cola flung his almost empty cider glass into the air for a toast, "Cheers, fellows, cheers to our-I say! Why is the cider gone? Waiter! We need more cider! Waiter!!"
Tealove felt like she was about to faint, her stomach clenched from laughing so hard, but she managed to wave the bar tender ponies away and lower Cola's glass, "Dear, I think you've had a bit too much to drink tonight. How about another round then we'll get some-"
"Waiter!!!" Cola flailed his arms in the air, "Raging Ringo, what kind of service is this? Wai-!!"
"YAH!!"
Ponies in the back rows of the seminar started to look back, glaring as the four card players as they swayed with laughter, sending bits raining to the ground. Tealove saw their stares, but she didn't care. For once, she didn't.
"Eh, my dear!!" Cola flung his arm around Tealove and pulled her head close as the two continued to laugh, "I'd say this night's been the best-HIC-I seen 'n yeeeears!! Don' you...filly you are?"
A fresh fit of laughter erupted from the group and Cola swayed into Tealove with lips puckered, but the mare quickly put a hoof to his mouth and pushed him away, "You have some serious issues, dear," she snorted teasingly.
Cola swayed back into his seat looking confused, but quickly recovered and exclaimed, "You bet I do, missy!"
"Forty bits for the last round!!" Worthy shouted and placed his bits on the table.
"FIFTY!" Bulk barked with slap on the table.
"I gonna do 'm all out with 'n eighty!" Cola cheered, holding his cards high in the air.
Tealove giggled, "Um..I guess I'll do a hundred!"
"You're ON!" Bulk shouted, and then the card game began.
Aces, hearts, queens and kings were shuffled and dueled, slapped and fanned across the table, drawn and torn (well, only when Bulk lost did he tear up the loosing cards). Tealove's mind was racing, scanning cards and bits at lightning speed, and it took her a moment to realize when it happened but-
"Gin!" Tealove exclaimed. She slapped her cards on the table and each stallion stared, frozen with shock that they'd been beat by a first timer mare. (That's right! Mare power!)
"What-but I..!" Worthy kept looking from his cards to Tealove's and back to his as if looking for a mistake.
"How the hay-in all of Equestria!" Cola's eyes popped, but Bulk's words summed up all the stallion's feelings,
"NO!!!"
"Yah!" Tealove tried to bellow back, but failed because she was laughing so hard.
"YOU..DID NOT JUST!!" Bulk suddenly flipped the table, sending the others crashing to the ground, then roared and began bucking at the cards now fluttering through the air.
"Bulk!" Cola half shouted half laughed as ponies from the seminar began to gasp, "Now, now, Bulky boy, you know it was played-!"
"UNFAIR!"
Tealove had to scramble out of the way as the raging stallion began poking holes through the hearts of every ace card he saw.
"Whats's going' on?"
Tealove almost jumped out of her fur. It was Big Mac, watching Bulk with a furrowed brow.
"Oh, him," the mare tried to laugh, "He just..lost a little game, that's all! And now he's-"
"BULK ALWAYS WINS!" the stallion was now charging towards Tealove, nostrils flared, every muscle bulging (well, more than normal).
"LOOK OUT, HUN!" Cola's voice was barely heard over the cries from the crowd and Tealove jumped out of the way only seconds before Bulk was about to crush her to bits, but before she was out of range, her attacker had snatched the end of her blue dress with his teeth and when the mare slid to a stop, she found her dress was still in Bulk's mouth. (Oh, come on! That's my last one too!)
"Bulk, calm down!!" Worthy tried to tear the dress from his the stallion's grip, but before he could, Bulk ground the fabric between his teeth as if her were a lawn mower, then all that was left was a pile of blue flakes. (Really?! Was that necessary?!)
This time, Tealove wasn't in the mood to laugh it off.
"Bulk!!" she screamed and rose to her hooves, the whole seminar audience, including Ringo's captain, now staring, "You get over here right now and say you're sorry for all this mess and mayhem you've made because we can't tolerate this behavior over something like a little game and a-!!!"
Tealove was feeling pretty proud of herself as Bulk began to cower on the floor, but her scolding was cut off by a cry from the audience,
"Her hock!!"
Then ponies began gasping. Then Tealove froze. Her hock. Now for all to see. The Clandestine mark.
"EVERYPONY EVACUATE!!" the captain on stage roared, "IT'S A CELESTIAN!!"
And then the whole thing turned to chaos. Ponies bolted towards the stage and burst out the back door as if Tealove was declared to have a deadly disease. Worthy was stupid enough to all of a sudden look panicked and began fleeing along with Bulk, but Cola managed to trip Worthy and pin him to the ground.
"Now, we don't be no runners!" Cola screamed into Worthy's face, "We stallions! And stallions don't leave nopony behind!!"
"TEA!" Big Mac began running towards the main room, "Come on!!"
Tealove didn't have to be told twice. She dashed after Big Mac, also being closely followed by Cola and Worthy, and not too far behind was the Manehatten Broke's captain.
"Why didn't ya' tell us your big secret, fluffy?" Cola yelled over the noise as the ponies burst into the main room, "I' tellin' ya', I woulda' kept it like a dog hiding a bone in a-!"
Just as Big Mac reached for the door, a stallion suddenly popped up and exclaimed, "Hey, hey, hey, guess what!! I can hold a washing machine now!!"
"Rolo, MOVE!" Tealove was about to shove the stick pony out of the way, but the five stallions burst into the room. It was the captain. And four body guards.
"Well, look who's betraying their kind," the stallion snarled, "Either that, or look at how well Celestia's agents are at hiding. GET THEM!!"
Then the whole room broke out in a flurry of fists, bucks and bloody hoof fights.
Tealove punched and bucked, slapped and flipped, more than anything relieved that Cola and Worthy were fighting against their own captain. The mare thrashed fiercely at her well dressed bodyguard opponent, but the stallion had obviously been trained for moments like that (and how much training did I get? Oh, just word from Celestia that the whole universe depended on this mission’s success. The end). The black suited stallion punched at Tealove’s jaw, but the mare returned his favor with a fist straight between his eyes that caused his dark sunglasses to crack in half, then he lifelessly crumpled to the floor. (Ow. My hoof.) “Take that, ya ‘orrible bruit!” Tealove heard Cola’s voice rise above the chaos as she ran to kick Worthy’s attacker in the gut before the stallion was overtook.
Tealove managed a small laugh as Worthy panted, “Thanks..a ton!”
“Course,” Tealove distractedly nodded and stepped over the fallen body guard, searching for Big Mac amidst the wreck of washing machines and other mechanical rubble, but then she spotted one of the Broke fighters that suddenly karate chopped a small stallion who fought back with such force and skill that it took Tealove a moment to recognize-
“Rolo!” she charged forward as Rolo punched and bucked (how the hay is he-? I thought he was a nerd!), but his little frame was shaking from such effort, couldn't hold against his opponent's for long and suddenly, the guard punched the stick figure pony to the ground with a snap.
"No!" Tealove quickly bucked the attacker in the skull and, sending him to the ground with a sickening crack.
"Rolo!" Tealove looked into the stallion's cracked glasses, but he gave no signs of life, "Rolo, wake up!! You have to get up-move!" she was starting to loose hope as Rolo's little head lay, cradled in her hooves, his limbs unmoving, mouth slightly open "Before they do! Come on, come on....it's what buff stallions would do!!"
But still nothing happened. Tealove's lip trembled. (I'd been so mean to him..how could? He wasn't even that annoying...I can't handle another death!!!)
The mare held Rolo's head tight, trying not to break down (come on, get a hold of yourself...you barely even knew him...and yet..he knew me). Tealove put an ear to his mouth, but not one breath escaped his lips. She checked his pulse (I have no clue what I'm doing, but..could a hit in the head really kill...?), lifted his eyelids, but she couldn't tell, couldn't confirm the truth. Then Tealove found herself whispering into the stallion's ear, thinking of how bravely he'd fought, even though it'd only been for about eight minutes, she breathed, "You're...the strongest colt I know... "
The noise was increasing, the shouts and cries of pain growing louder. Tealove needed to go, to help them escape. She was just about to put down Rolo's head when she heard the smallest voice whisper,
"You..really mean it?"
"Oh my gosh!!"
Rolo was breathing, coughing feebly for air.
"Oh my-Sweet Celestia!!! Rolo!!!" Tealove scooped him up into the tightest hug she could manage around his tooth pick body, "Oh my gosh..you! You-I can't believe-don't you ever do that again or I'll-!" she quickly let go of the stallion to take a deep breath, "Ahem..yes. I really mean it. I think you're-"
Then it was Rolo's turn to envelop Tealove in a hug (a hug that cut into my limbs because of how bony he was, but a hug all the same). And this time, Tealove wasn't annoyed with him.
“I was just holding my breath,” he whispered into the mare’s ear, “but...thank you. I know I’m not the strongest thing ever, but it means a lot to me to-”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, WHOA!” suddenly, Cola shoved himself in between Tealove and Rolo, seeming oblivious to the fact that his muzzle was spilling blood, “Break it up, ya’ two, she’s don’t belong to ya’!”
"And I belong to-?" Tealove was about to ask what the fuss was about when she was so suddenly punched in the face that it knocked the breath right out of her lungs.
"Oh no ya don't!!!" Cola roared and almost instantly, he and Rolo tackled the Broke guard who had hit their friend.
Tealove rose to her hooves, dazed, blinking furiously to refocus her eyes, but just as she regained her balance, she received another hit across the face. (Okay, you can hit me once, but if you dare slap me twice, I'm gonna-)
"Looks like there's nopony to save you," the Manehatten captain sneered and easily blocked the feeble buck Tealove threw at him, returning the attempt with a sock in the neck.
Tealove choked, gagged on a sudden sourness rising in her throat, then she was hit again.
"Is this all Celestia has to offer?!" the captain laughed, "Come now, you must know at least how to-!"
He didn't get to finish his sentence though because Tealove cut off his words with one mighty buck in the chest.
The stallion staggered back, face suddenly as white as a cloud, but he recovered, now growling with anger, then tackled Tealove and pulled a knife from his sweater's neck hem.
"You dare challenge a Broke leader?" the captain was breathing hard as Tealove struggled under his weight, the stallion only giving a small wince when he was bit and kicked, "Well..I'll make sure it's your last time!!!"
Then, with a flash of silver, the captain's knife flew down Tealove's face, right over her eyelid and down her cheek. Blood rained to the floor, puddling as Tealove cried out, thrashed with pain. Her face was on fire, it was like a million paper cuts done in one place, slicing deeper and deeper each time. Her tears stung at the cut, it was as if she lost control of her body. The only thing on her mind was living. That and the fact that she was positive death was soon.
The captain cackled, "Oh, foolish Celestian! Feel Ringo's wrath!!!"
The knife rose again, only this time above her heart, it was falling closer, Tealove shrieked a strangled, tormented cry-
"ARGH!"
A huge weight was lifted off of Tealove. (Am I dead again? Please tell me I'm-!)
"YOU DON'T MESS WITH MY TEALOVE!!!"
It was Big Mac. He'd ripped the Broke stallion from Tealove and was now beating him with all his strength, not stopping for even a breath, raining punches on that guy like his life depended on it, and the captain had been taken by such surprise that he hadn't had the time to process what had happened, much less fight back. Soon the captain was twitching on the ground, groaning with pain and anguish, then Big Mac rushed to Tealove and hoisted her on his back.
"WE'LL KEEP 'EM OFF FOR YA'!" Cola roared, "JUST RUN!!"
"No..," Tealove's guilt driven objection was drowned out by the shouts and cries that erupted from the laundromat as Worthy, Rolo and Cola continued the fight, but at the sound of Cola's cry, two body guards abandoned the chaos and bolted towards the Celestians.
"RUN!"
And with a shower of wood and rusty nails, Big Mac burst from the building and began his rampage through the bustling morning streets of the crowded city, blood flying behind as their banner that left a clear trail for their pursuers to follow, each raving for murder.
