Under the Burning Skies
Chapter 9: Interlude: Dashing in the Royal Guard
Previous Chapter Next Chapter
Interlude
Dashing in the Royal Guard
Two weeks have passed since Tony left Ponyville, after spending here a night to have some fun, on the recommendation of the Doctor.
It was a sunny day in Ponyville, the Sun shooting its rays towards its inhabitants. It was a busy day, for two of the most loved ponies in the village were about to get married the next day. Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon. It was quite the event, seeing as it was the first official wedding between two mares, made legal by its loving ruler of the Sun, Princess Celestia. She knew that love could overcome any differences, and such, legalized the marriage between ponies of the same gender.
Sugarcube Corner was working non-stop to prepare the sweets and pastries needed for the party afterwards. Pinkie Pie was concentrated on combining several types of frostings to complete her new recipe she called ‘Twix’, a caramel and chocolate based cupcake. She thought of it as ‘a piece of heaven for everypony’. Satisfied with her work, she gave a loud squeal of excitement and prepared to mass produce the new sweet.
In the other part of the village, at Carousel Boutique, Rarity was working on several dresses at the same time, working overtime to finish the dresses.
“Some red over here, maybe some blue… oh no no no, just no! It won’t do!” glancing at the clock, she yelped and started working faster. “Come on Rarity, I have enough time, no need to worry! I also have an appointment at the spa later today with Fluttershy. Oh my, I won’t have enough time for the dresses, ahhhh!” she gritted her teeth in frustration.
“Can’t you just cancel your appointment and continue working on the dresses?” asked Sweetie Belle in an uncaring tone, waving around her hoof.
“Why, Sweetie Belle, I need to relax or else I will look like a diamond dog at the wedding! I can’t have that!” Rarity huffed and waved her sister away.
“I’m going to play with the Crusaders. Later, Rarity!”
In the Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack and her older brother, Big Macintosh were bucking the apple trees, gathering as many as they could to deliver to the Sugarcube Corner to prepare them. It was a rare occasion for them to sell so many apples, and bucked as many as they could.
After a while, Applejack took a short break and looked towards the fields.
“Ah tell ya Macintosh, this here wedding is gonna make us rich!” She said, rearranging her Stetson hat on her head.
“Eeyup. Although we might want to buck just a few more then go prepare ourselves, cos tomorrow morning we won’t have enough time.” He replied calmly, with the best poker face one could only wish for.
“Ah agree. Let’s git to work, brother!” Big Mac gave her a nod and resumed their activity.
If one pony would stand and listen to the wind for a second, they could hear what appeared to be some angels singing, or birds, in this case.
In the backyard of her cottage, Fluttershy was singing along with her numerous bird friends, preparing a song for this special event. She was so entranced by the song that she did not notice a little white bunny gesturing something. Getting impatient, he went inside the cottage, grabbed the largest carrot he could find and took aim for her muzzle. Happy with the angle, he poured his strength into the motion, sending the carrot flying straight into Fluttershy’s mouth, silencing her.
“Off!” she stammered. Pulling the carrot out of her mouth, she glanced at the impatient bunny, who was tapping his foot expectantly. “Angel Bunny, what's wrong? Are you hungry?”
He brought his paw to his face and sighed. Raising both of his arms, he gestured the Pegasus towards the cottage.
“What is it? I still have some work to do, Angel. The birds almost learned the song.”
Angel’s reply was a rude gesture, pointing at the birds then at his flank.
”Oh Angel, that is very rude! You should be ashamed of yourself.” With that, Fluttershy went into the kitchen to prepare herself some tea. Her eyes landed on the clock that pointed 17:00 hours. “Oh no, I was supposed to meet with Rarity at the spa in 15 minutes, but I won’t have time to finish the song! Ohmyohmyohmy! I can’t let Rarity down… I can only imagine her reaction…”
‘Rarity was lying in the bath tub at the spa, whining about her missing friend.
“WHY, FLUTTERSHY, HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME? WHY?" She wept. ‘
Fluttershy giggled at the thought. “I guess I can’t disappoint her, can I, Angel?”
The bunny shrugged and hopped on his bed.
Preparing her saddlebags, she set out for the spa.
In the Ponyville Library, Twilight Sparkle was, as always, reading a book, on weddings this time, while taking notes on a nearby parchment. She sighed and rolled on her back.
“Love is like friendship, only more complex, more intense. I wonder how it feels to love somepony. Hey Spike!”
A purple baby dragon with green spikes emerged from a mountain of books and zoomed to the lavender mare.
“Number One Assistant, Sir Spike, at your command!” blurting out nonsense while saluting like a soldier.
“Spike, we all know you have a crush on Rarity. So, how does it feel? Can you describe it precisely? I want to write a report on that!” she grinned, making the baby dragon shuffle away from her, blushing a deep shade of crimson.
“W-well, it feels like… like…”
“Like, like, like what?!”
“I haven’t got the slightest idea.” He shrugged and began pacing away from the irritated mare.
“Ugh, then how do you now you love her then?”
At this, the baby dragon turned around to face her and thought a bit. “Well, it’s a warm feeling I have in my chest whenever I think of her, or I see her. It feels… right. But…” he shuddered for a second. “If the pony you love doesn’t return the feelings, it hurts more than any physical pain you can imagine.”
“Uh-uh…” she motioned for him to continue while she was writing down on the parchment.
“That’s all, I guess.”
“Alright, whatever. Thanks anyway.” She huffed and got up from her bed and trotted to the window. “I hope I will find somepony that I will fall in love with. Sounds… good, in the least.”
The dragon coughed once then belched a green flame, revealing a scroll with the royal seal on it. “Ugh, Twilight?” But the mare wasn’t listening, she was daydreaming at the window. “TWILIGHT! Letter from Princess Celestia!”
“Oh, sorry!” she trotted and picked the letter with her magic. “Bla bla bla, tell Rainbow Dash to come to Canterlot immediately after the wedding… bla bla bla, one chance in a lifetime.” She paced around the room. “That doesn’t make any sense…”
Another belch and green flame revealed yet another scroll.
“Let’s see that Spike.” With a swift movement, she unrolled the scroll and began reading. “Miss Rainbow Dash has been chosen to join the ‘Elite Air Force of Canterlot’, having proven the qualities needed for a captain of the Royal Guard… ROYAL GUARD?! RAINBOW DASH?!! It’s like putting together a flower with … um… I can’t find the correct term, SPIKE!”
“Calm down, Twilight. But, what is this, elite thingy?”
“I don’t know myself, but I have a feeling we are going to find out tomorrow. Spike, please forward these letters to Rainbow.”
“Yes ma’am!” With a deep breath, Spike set the letters on fire.
High above Ponyville, a small cloud drifted lazily in the breeze. Atop it, was a cyan Pegasus mare, drooling out while sleeping, occasionally kicking away with her hooves at an invisible enemy. “Take… that…. Discord….*snoring* thanks, everypony… *snoring* hey Soarin’, you’re looking hot today…” she grinned.
A green flame followed by a small thud shot the Pegasus awake.
“Who’s there? Huh, oh, letters from Twilight… wait, this one is from the Princess and the other… I’ve got no idea…” She sat on her back, unfolding the scrolls and started reading. “Canterlot? Tomorrow after the wedding? Aww, no cake for me…Ugh, I hope Pinkie saves some… Alright, next!”
After she finished reading the second letter, she was confused. “The captain of the Royal Guard? ME? I don’t really have something for the military, but if they think I’m the best, well here I come, Celestia!”
The next day.
The wedding was fabulous, but instead of Princess Celestia handling the ceremony, Princess Luna offered herself to unite the two loving ponies, even though she was using the Royal Canterlot Voice, earning a few shrieks every time she spoke. The six friends enjoyed a good laugh once in a while, knowing Princess Luna personally.
“WE DECLARE THY MARE AND… uh, MARE! THOU MAY KISS YOUR BRIDE!” she blared out, smiling as the mares now enjoyed a passionate kiss, accompanied by the cheering of the crowd and the birds singing.
After the ceremony ended, everypony started heading out towards the Grand Hall of Ponyville for the party. Princess Luna and her six friend met outside and shared a small talk.
“Well, I must say, dear Luna, you were fabulous! Although you may want to lower the volume a bit.”
“We still have minor issues getting used to such a low volume. But, we think we did alright, did we not?” asked Luna, giving the group a sheepish smile.
“You did wonderful, your majesty.” Twilight gave her an assuring nod.
“Alright ladies, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have to leave, Princess Celestia is expecting me at the Palace. Pinkie Pie, please, and I mean please please please promise me that you will save me some cake!”
“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” the pink pony squealed and hopped off to the entrance. “See you girls at the party!”
“We will be accompanying thou to the palace, Miss Dash.” Luna spoke in a soft tone, bearing authority to it.
“Yes, your majesty. I am ready whenever you—“ A large blue aura enveloped them and teleported inside the throne room in Canterlot Palace “ –are…”
Inside the throne room there were several ponies that wore a black suit with a white lightning that crossed their sides, from the neck to their flanks. Their color was a dark grey, with pitch black manes. ‘Enchanted probably...’ Amidst them stood Princess Celestia, apparently waiting for them to arrive.
“Welcome back, sister. How did the ceremony go?”
“Very well, no incidents were registered, aside from several ponies fainting from the Royal Voice.” Princess Luna scratched the back of her head. Celestia chucled heartily.
“Oh, Luna…” Clearing her throat, she directed her gaze towards the cyan Pegasus.
“Miss Rainbow Dash, I thank you for answering my summoning. Let me introduce you to the elite of Equestria, the ‘Celestial Defenders’. As much as you’d like to believe, you aren’t the only one capable of pulling off Sonic Rainbooms.”
“Wh-what?! But, I haven’t seen or heard of anypony doing that until now…”
Celestia smiled. “Well, it wouldn’t be a secret agency then, would it?” The cyan Pegasus was at a loss of words. “And that’s why, since you pulled it off since you were but a small filly, you have been chosen to lead them, and keep the skies of Equestria safe.”
Rainbow Dash was stunned. “Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh! But wait, does that mean that I won’t be able to join the Wonderbolts anymore?!”
“Not at all, young one. In fact, it could be the best disguise, since you already performed the Sonic Rainboom in front of many other ponies. I will ask of them to accept you in the team. After all, you would already have been a Wonderbolt, if not for the Rainboom.”
“Wait, what? You’re saying that the only reason I wasn’t accepted earlier by them was because of the Rainboom?!”
“Indeed. We needed to keep you away from the general populace. Oh, and don’t worry, another Wonderbolt is one of the elite aswell. Isn’t that right, Seargeant Soarin’?”
“Sure is, your majesty” said one of the Pegasi that were aligned. Taking a step forward, he removed his hood and revealed his face to the shocked cyan mare.
‘OHMYGOSH IT’S SOARIN’ OF THE WONDERBOLTS!’
“Well? Does thou accept this mission?” the Ruler of the Night asked.
“Yesyesyesyesyes a thousand time yes!” the cyan mare squealed as she started flying around in circles around those present, earning a few chuckles. Soarin' flew up to her and blocked her way. With a satisfying grin, he said out loud for everypony to hear.
”Welcome aboard, Rainbow.”
Rainbow felt her cheeks burning and turned her head to avoid his gaze.
“Ahem” the Ruler of the Sun cleared her throat. “I must remind you, that nopony except the other elements of Harmony are to hear about this. If you happen to tell anypony else, we will deny everything and silence you. Is that clear?
Rainbow gulped and nodded frantically. “Yes, your majesty!”
“That was all. Return to the party for now. You shall receive your uniform and instructions directly through a magical seal that I will give you.” Celestia’s horn glowed brightly and summoned forth a brilliant sea blue pendant, and placed it on Rainbow’s neck.
“Thank you, Princess.”
“You’re very welcome. Now, onto the party with you!”
In a bright flash, she appeared in Ponyville. Shaking her head to get rid of the dizziness caused by the teleportation, she sped through the village to where the party was held. Only one thought ran freely through her overjoyed mind. ‘Cake… must reach… the cake! My stomach depends on it.’