Login

Rainbow Unicorn: The Ticket Matter

by Hopeful_Ink_Hoof

Chapter 8: A Royal Invitation

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" Pinkie Pie cried out, bouncing up and down with each "Oh!" "We should invite Princess Luna to join us. Can we? Can we? Huh, huh, huh?"

The question made Rainbow Burst stop, considering it.

"I don't know," she said slowly. "I mean, it would be nice to see her and try to get her to hang out with us. Plus, she hasn't been to any sort of dances... in... a thousand years..."

Okay, that made Rainbow kind of sad. She was going to point out that Luna had not been to The Gala, so having her there would kind of change the way things were. It would make the party she was holding less like The Gala. But the thought that Luna had not been to a party for over a thousand years was kind of tragic. Really, the best option would be to put it off. Have the others experience the normal ball style party held, then have Luna join them for the funner one.

Still...

"I guess it couldn't hurt to ask her," she said.

"Yay!" Pinkie shouted. "Come on Shining. Take us to Princess Luna's room."

"I guess it would be alright," he said -- more to himself than the others. "It would be here in the castle with ponies she knows, and Celestia does want her to interact with other ponies more." He smiled. "Alright. Follow me and I'll take you to her quarters so you can ask her."

"If you don't mind," Flowershy said gently, "I would just like to go ahead to the garden, please." She shifted, looking down toward the floor.

Quite honestly, she had been wanting to go see them as soon as she had arrived. It had taken some effort on her part to not go racing through the castle toward the gardens. Now she could not wait any longer. If she did not get to go see them soon, she was going to explode.

"Okay," Rainbow said, walking over to Flowershy and throwing a foreleg around her. "The rest of you go ahead and ask Luna. I'll take Shy to the gardens, then meet you at the ballroom." She gave a gentle pat. "Come on, Shy." Pulling away, she continued the way they had been heading, Flowershy following along not far behind.

"Princess Luna's quarters aren't too far from here," Shining Armor told the others as he started to walk. After several minutes of walking -- and climbing a massive number of stairs -- Shining Armor led Twilight Comet, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie to the main tower and one of the highest stories.

As the group got closer to their destination, two figures came into view. They had a dark gray coat and were dressed in midnight blue armor (with a slightly spikier design than the guards typical golden type).

Twilight let out a gasp as she caught sight of the pair, bolting toward them.

"BATPONIES!" she squealed out as she reached them. "I've heard stories of them before but I never thought I would actually see one."

She grabbed one of their wings, pulling it out to fully extended length.

"Look at theses. The strength of the membranes must be impressive. And the skeletal-muscular structure. I bet that they could be highly dexterous, even without their innate magic."

"Twilight," Shining Armor said, causing Twilight to freeze. Her brother only ever used her full first name when she was in trouble.

"I get that you're excited," Shining stated in a firm, low voice, "but technically you are currently assaulting a guard. I suggest that you cease before he is forced to subdue you. I really don't want to have to incarcerate my own sister."

Twilight stared at her brother, blinking. Her gaze slowly drifted down from his stern face to the bat wing she was still holding in her front hooves. A slight chuckle escaped her as her cheeks turned bright pink. Slowly, she pushed the wing back into position at the batpony guard's side, giving it a gentle pat.

"Sorry about that."

"Stand down," Shining Armor said as he moved forward. The two guards gave a salute and moved aside, allowing him access to the door. Stretching out one wing, Shining Armor took a hold of the silver crescent moon knocker and slammed it against the dark blue door.

"WHO DOTH SEEK A PRIVATE AUDIENCE WITH THE PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT!?" a voice boomed from inside the room, causing the doors to rattle. Pinkie Pie stared wide-eyed at the door as Applejack and Twilight jumped back, their wings flaring out at their sides.

"We're... still working on The Royal Canterlot Voice," Shining explained as he glanced back toward the trio of mares. "At least it wasn't as bad as one time." He turned to face the door. "Blew the door off its hinges and sent a curious noble rolling across the floor and out the window. Luckily another guard managed to catch him before he hit the ground."

After clearing his throat, he announced "it's Shining Armor, your majesty. I come with some mares who wish to invite you to a party of theirs."

Several seconds passed before the door opened and Princess Luna stepped out. Her bat wings shifted at her side as she approached Shining Armor. Her gaze then moved past him, taking in the three mares standing slightly further back.

"Ah," she said as she caught sight of them. "Three of the element bearers. 'tis lovely to see you once more." She gave a slight bow of her head. "What is this speak of a 'party' at which you wish our attendance?"

"Rainbow Burst decided to bring us all here to do fun things we all want like meet Prince Blueblood and see the gardens," Pinkie Pie explained. "Plus she's throwing us a big fun party so we can all see what it would be like to go to The Grand Galloping Gala. And I thought that we should be friends with you, but haven't seen you since Ponyville. So I thought we should invite you as well. So, will you come?"

Princess Luna took a step back, her gaze shifting away from the trio. She licked her lips as she looked down along the hall.

"Such a thing..." She shifted. "Perhaps it would not be for the best."

"Princess," Shining Armor said, "such a thing would help you in becoming more acclimated to modern society, as well as your social skills."

Luna turned to look at him, her tail giving a flicker.

"And if we were to make an error in my interactions?" she asked.

"It will only be in front of a small group," Shining replied, "all of whom I'm sure would be understanding and patient."

Princess Luna looked back and forth, shifting between Shining Armor and the three mares, while occasionally glancing back toward the door to her room. The others waited patiently, which was more difficult for some than others. Finally, she took a step forward and gave a nod.

"Very well," Luna stated. "We shall indeed join you in celebration." She then turned to Shining Armor. "With the caveat that you, Shining Armor, shall attend as well as our royal escort and continued social tutor."

"As you wish, my lady," Shining Armor, giving a small bow.

Next Chapter: In a Gadda de Canta Estimated time remaining: 29 Minutes
Return to Story Description

Login

Facebook
Login with
Facebook:
FiMFetch