1.4

Rhyme stood in the bathroom, watching herself in the mirror. She was mentally prepping herself for the meeting that was about to take place. It was of utmost importance to the princess that the naval aid be obtained from Lord Royal Navy. After giving herself one last pep talk, she left for the meeting.

Walking down the main foyer to the grand assembly chamber, she saw a familiar stallion.

“Rhythm?” she called out, quickly trotting towards him.

“Rhyme!” the stallion returned, embracing her.

“It’s so good to see you! What are you doing in Trottingham? I thought you were in Canterlot,” Rhythm exclaimed.

“Yeah, I was, but I got a quick reassignment, I only just got it, so I’m sorry I couldn’t send a letter,” Rhyme replied, “How’s Cadance?”

“She’s fine, you should come see her after your meeting! She’d love to see her mother for once,” Rhythm said, letting his tone speak his mind.

“I know I know, it’s just so busy in Canterlot, I can never find a moment to come here, but I promise that I’ll spend as much time here as I can with Cadance. Maybe I can drag out these negotiations for more time,” Rhyme schemed.

“Just get the job done, maybe if you do it quick enough, Celestia might give you extra time off,” Rhythm suggested.

“Good idea, well I’m off. I’ll be home as soon as I’m done here,” Rhyme said, giving Rhythm a quick peck on the cheek and then dashing off through the assembly doors.

The grand assembly chamber was a fairly large room with stadium style decks arranged in a half circle around a central seating area and podium. Behind the central seating area was a statue of Princess Celestia, flanked by dual stained glass windows full of various important and influential ponies.

Rhyme hurried to her seat. Harps was already there taking notes.  

“Nice of you to join us Lady Rhyme of Canterlot, what does the Princess will?” asked Lord Royal Navy who was standing at the front podium.

“Your lordship, the Princess has offered…”

Rhyme arrived at her husband’s house some time later. She tapped the doorbell and knocked a few times. After hearing quick hurried hoof steps, a filly she knew and loved opened the door. Cadance stood there, her face beaming at the sight of her mother.

“Mom!” she yelped jumping into her mother’s arms.

“Cadance sweetie it’s so nice to see you, how have you been?”

“I’ve been good,” she replied shyly, “Guess who’s here!”

“Who?”

“The princess! She’s here! She’s really, nice. She said one day I might be a princess just like her,” Cadance explained, cheerfully.

Cadance ran off, leaving Rhyme puzzled. If the princess was planning to come here anyways, why did she send Rhyme to negotiate and not just do it herself? She walked inside and went into the living room. Luxurious couches and a high ceiling decorated with plaques and coats of arms gave it a traditional feel that Rhythm and she decided on. She lit a fire. Cadance brought the princess who had apparently had a tea party with her. Cadance was now wearing the princess’s crown. Celestia was wearing a folded, paper crown and brought a plastic teacup with her.

“She says she wanted to talk to you, so I guess I’ll go over here now,” she said climbing back upstairs to her room. Halfway up she slipped and came crashing back down the stairs. Cadance jumped up immediately, ignoring the fall.

“Sweetie, are you ok?!” Rhyme called out.

“Stairs! My only weakness! I will be nice to you so you’ll love me again. Cast love spell!” Cadance declared as her tiny horn began to glow slightly. She set a spark off that fell onto the stairs, satisfied she ran back up the stairs.

“Kids, I hope she wasn’t too much of a hassle Princess…” Rhyme started, apologetically.

“Oh no, she was a delight to spend the afternoon with, but I’m afraid there are more pressing matters that I need to speak with you and your husband about,” the Princess started solemnly.

Rhythm peaked his head around the corner and told them dinner was ready. Agreeing to hold off the discussion until later they sat down for a nice meal.

After dinner Cadance had gone out to play at her friend’s house, leaving the three alone.

“You both must be wondering why I came here on such short notice,” Celestia explained, “I believe that Equestria is in serious danger.”

“So soon? We haven’t even recovered from the Dark Invasion yet. We’re still finding pockets of those creatures,” Rhythm explained.

Only less than a week ago, the major cities of Equestria were attacked simultaneously by an army of dark winged creatures. They attacked during the night and left in their wake, destruction and disharmony.

“I know and I think I know the reason for the Dark Invasion, my sister Luna.”

Rhyme and Rhythm looked at each other in confusion.

“My sister Luna is a dark and evil pony. 1000 years ago I used ancient artifacts called the Elements of Harmony to combat her after she rebelled against me.  I imprisoned her in the moon with them. Now I think she is planning to escape,” Celestia explained.

Rhyme looked at Celestia concerned but unsure. Rhythm spoke next wasn’t sold on the idea

“I don’t mean to question your reasoning, but what evidence do you have that the two are connected and that your sister is planning to return?” Rhythm inquired.

“I have… been watching her,” Celestia began, swallowing hard, “I can see her making a move, but I don’t know what she’s doing exactly.”

There was a moment of silence and consideration.

“You can count on us to help princess,” Rhyme declared, shooting Rhythm a glance, “What do you need us to do.”

“I know of an ancient enchantress in the Everfree Forest, she is able to use magics that I am unable to conjure. She will be able to tell us if my suspicions are true and how we might stop her. Since I can’t leave my duties for that long and remain undercover, I must ask you two do it,” Celestia explained, “I will take over your duties here in Trottingham during your absence.”

“Understood, anything else you need before we leave?” Rhyme asked.

“Here take this with you, it’ll help the enchantress in her casting,” Celestia added.

Celestia presented a dark blue tiara and necklace to Rhyme. Both shone silver in the moonlight and had crescent moon emblems adorning them. Rhyme took them and placed them on the table.

“I’ll take Cadance in your absence, she’ll stay with me in my suite and at the castle. Now go and travel swiftly,” Celestia declared.

Rhythm and Rhyme looked at each other and nodded. They ran upstairs to gather supplies. Next Chapter: 1.5 Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 52 Minutes