A pony on hard times

In the morning Cadence woke up and deliberately used a bit more magic than required to grab a nearby dressing gown. This set off the hidden magic alarms, but that was her plan – hopefully Stainless Spur would be fooled into think his security was completely foolproof. Within moments she had a knock on the door and opening it she found a mare with a breakfast tray on her back.

Cadence levitated the tray off of the mares back, thanked the earth pony and returned to bed. She was desperate to leave this place in case her spell was found quickly but at the same time she had to act natural and seem to be in no rush to leave. She sat down at the table and delicately ate breakfast, trying to make sure not to look at the hidden cameras. Luckily this task was made easier as somepony had entered the bosses study, so she distracted herself by snooping in via her spell. It turned out just to be a cleaning mare but at least Cadence knew her spell was working.

It was a glorious day so once she had finished breakfast, rather than take the offered limo back to the main part of the city Crystal Heart told Stainless she wanted to fly back. She went on to explain that she hadn’t flown for a few days and really felt like it as her spirits were lifted. Of course the main reason was because she had managed to plant her spying orb, but stainless incorrectly assumed it was due to the luxury the Alicorn had enjoyed.

As she flew over the suburbs at a leisurely pace, she saw a large plume of smoke appear in the distance. It didn’t look good to see so much smoke in the middle of a city, so she started flying at speed towards it. Approaching the scene she could see a large tower block, not too much unlike her current residence, fiercely ablaze. The cities fire response units were on the scene but given the size of the problem they were ghastly overpowered.

Even from the distance she was at she could hear the fire-fighters talking about reaching the trapped ponies and she gathered that they were not going to get to them in time. Cadence may be undercover, but sensing the scared mares, stallions and foals cowering in fear she just had to react – regardless of anything else, she had the power and therefore the responsibility to save them.

Speeding through the sky like a hoofball thrown by a star quarter-back, she clmed**upwards into the sky. Weather spells were not her specialty but she had been born a Pegasus and knew how to handle clouds. Using all the abilites of flight and magic  she could muster, she started gathering every cloud in sight.

A huge dense black cloud started to form over the raging tower block and seeing what the Alicorn was up to, other pegasi joined the pink pony in adding clouds. Once it had reached critical mass, Cadence kicked the cloud to make it start pouring with rain making an instant impact on the raging fire.

With other Pegasi feeding the raincloud more water, the Alicorn turned her attention to the trapped ponies. There was too much going on to do a safe teleport from a distance, so instead she had to come up with another solution. She dove towards the flaming tower, cast a shield around herself and prepared for impact. She burst through the burning rooftop to land in a corridor, flaming ceiling falling around her. Looking around, she broke down the door to an apartment and galloped inside to find a family cowering in the corner.

She extended the shield around them, and told them to follow her. Being told to do something by a Princess, even if an ex-princess, seemed to snap them out of their fear and they followed her. Cadence then broke down the door to the next flat and repeated the procedure with the pair of music students inside. The alicorn, and her growing entourage, went carefully from room to room gathering up all the ponies trapped in the building. The fire was abating thanks to the rain and the work of the fire ponies, but with the flames licking the shield it was obvious that there was still a lot of danger.

As soon as she had gathered all the ponies she tried to get them safely down the stairs, but despite her powerful shield the flames were too intense to safely protect them all. She instead started ushering them up to the top floor where she broke a hole in the ceiling with a blast of her magic. The ponies helped themselves and each other through the hole onto the roof.

As soon as the pegasi noticed the ponies appearing, they started working in pairs to fly them off the burning building. Cadence helped the remaining ponies up through the hole and waited around with them until they had all been rescued, using her shield to keep the flames away. With everypony safe, some of the pegasi came over to see if she if the hero was okay, but before anypony could speak to Cadence she flew off with all her might.

Cadence lay on her bed thinking through everything that had happened over the past few hours. She had done the right thing, as the trapped ponies would have likely died without her divine intervention. No matter what, the Princess of love could not imagine any scenario where she wouldn’t help out any pony in distress.

But just as the operation was coming together, her actions risked blowing the whole thing apart. The fire was bound to be front page news, but she hoped that Celestia’s hold over the media would keep her out of the news. It would be difficult to persuade them to do so, but no doubt Celestia could explain that she didn't want the former Princess made a hero. Of course it would be easier to explain the real undercover mission to them, but at the moment they had no idea who could be trusted in Manehattan.

Cadence lay her head down and tried to get to sleep but the thought of the fire keeping her awake. She had seen some awful things in her life, but ponies cowering in fear sparked off a feeling of old memories in her head, memories that she just could focus clearly on.

The next morning, Cadence walked through the streets on the way to the local store. She walked past a newsstand and had to have a look at the stories splashed over the front pages. And she breathed a huge sigh of relief. The media reported a pair of brave fire-ponies had rescued the trapped residents, and an unknown clever Pegasus had started the thunderstorm. There were lots of pictures all over the media and not a single one of them showed an Alicorn. As long as not too many ponies actually saw her, she might just get away with it.

The next day Cadence entered the Prancing Mares changing room and on her dressing table she saw a little bunch of flowers. They weren't anything special, looking like they were home grown, but there was a small card with them. She lifted the card which simply said “Well Done Crystal!”. She heard some hoof stomping behind her and turned to find all the ponies gathered round giving her the applause. Orange Shadow came up and gave the larger pony a massive hug, breaking down in tears

“Whats going on?” Cadence asked confused, almost crying herself for some reason.

Orange looked the mare right in the eyes “My sister and her foal was amongst the ponies you saved. We owe you so much!”

“I didn’t do anything…” she started to protest

“Drop the act Princess! It was unmistakably you and Stormy Skies here…” Orange pointed to a waving mare “…he was one of the pegasi that followed your lead”

“It was an honour to work with you to save those ponies” the blue mare bowed in front of the Alicorn.

“Look, we need to keep this quiet. Thank you for the flowers and the kind words, but please don’t tell anypony else”

All the mares looked each other confused, until one spoke up “You’re a hero, ponies deserve to know!”

Cadence sighed “I cannot say why, but it’s important I continue to keep the lowest possible profile”

“Okay Princess…and I’m calling you Princess back here from now on so don’t you dare complain about it!” Orange playfully prodded the Alicorn in the chest as she spoke “I don’t know what’s going on, but I trust it’s in your best interests”

A few weeks later and Crystal Heart was back in Mr Spurs mansion, acting as a living statue in the main reception room opposite an exact ice sculpture of her. Whilst she got to put on a regal pose, the fact was this was much more humiliating for the Alicorn to just stand there to be looked at next to a copy of herself.

Since the fire rescue the unofficial word had spread through the grapevine that Cadence was somehow involved and the unmoving pony heard a few whispers from the guests having a guess on how Stainless Spur managed to get her onto his staff. This would please him no doubt and Cadence took a little pride that she was at least doing the job he was paying her to do.

This was the fourth night she worked, and all the ponies of the staff had started to like Cadence. She helped out whenever she could with other tasks, always tided her room before leaving and generally gave everypony her respect. This made a difference to any other “entertainment” Mr Spur had hired before who were rude and didn't have respect for themselves, let alone anypony else.

Once all the guests had left, Cadence was saying goodnight to the other servants and about to ascend the stairs to that wonderful bath when she heard Mr Spur call out “Crystal Heart, would you join me in my study please”

All the mares looked at each other in a little confusion, and seeing Ms Platter nod the pink alicorn followed Stainless to his study. She pretended that she hadn’t been in it before, and looked around the beautifully decorated room as any first time visitor would be expected to. Meanwhile, the stallion has poured himself a glass of whisky and lay down on one of the sofas.

“Princess Cadence" he started, snapping the mares attention to him "How would you like to become a permanent member of my staff? You would be looked after, more respected, work less and it would be so much better than the life you currently lead."

“It's a kind offer, but the other mares at the club need me…I can'y stop now as they are all struggling as it is”

“You can't think of others all the time, not anymore. Whatever caused you and Celestia to fall out, you don’t deserve to be miserable forever. If you are indeed immortal…” Stainless half stated, half asked this “…how long before you get some luxury back in your life, luxury all members of your divine species deserve”

“Still, it wouldn't be fair on them. Revenues would fall at least 10% if I were to leave.” Cadence replied, relying on her natural caring instincts.

“Well, if you perform your duties well, I’ll ensure the Prancing Mare continues to get lots of customer”

“Perform what duties?” Cadence asked a little defensively, not wanting to enquire how he could ensure the continuing levels of customers but having a good idea at the answer.

“My apologise, wrong choice of words perhaps. If anypony harms you, or does anything to cause you distress, then they would have to deal with me. Let alone I’m sure a thoroughly good pasting from your own magic!”

Stainless continued “I think you've already had a taste already of the sort of thing I’m talking about. You are so good around the other ponies, and indeed myself when I entertain. Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s all an act but that’s all I would expect from you. But you will be appreciated for the fine lady you are”

Cadence decided to change tack, and instead of standing up awkwardly as she had until now, she confidently lay down on the couch opposite the stallion “Okay, level with me…why?”

Stainless sighed, swirled his drink and sipped a little “How many ponies can say they have a former Princess in their staff? And undoubtedly the most beautiful pony in the whole kingdom?" Stainless was blushing a little, but tried to remain composed "Not only that, but I think you would be willing to also put in a honest days work around the house.”

Cadence picked up a glass and poured herself her own drink “It’s a tempting offer, I have to admit. Would it be a day and night role like some of your bodyguards?”

“Not at all, I wouldn't expect to be able to cage a free spirit as yourself” Stainless replied, before visibly flinching at his own corny line.

Cadence softened her face again like the awesome actress she was, playing the part like a pro. She gave a little giggle and made sure she seemed to be slowly coming round to liking the stallion.“You do have a way with words” Cadence sipped her drink,

“You would be free to live your own life when not on duty – four days, three evenings and whatever evenings I entertain guests on top”

“And you’re not expecting anything ‘extra’ to develop, either personally or for your soirées?” she eyed the Stallion cautiously

“Not at all. I can get that cheaper and with probably less ‘hassle’ from other mares” Stainless sipped his drink a little, as if reminiscing. Cadence made a gentle cough to kick him out of it “No, your are too priceless to even think of attempting such a thing”

“Perhaps if I’m priceless I should demand a bigger bath?” Cadence laughed a little softly.

“If it was physically possible than the oversized one I found for your room, I would get it for you”

“So you got something special for me for the first time I worked for you? That’s more than a little presumptuous!”

The earth pony looked a little worried as the Alicorn scowled at him, until her face cracked and she started to laugh. The mob boss sank back in his chair and took a sip of drink – having the Princess around may just give him a pony he could have a decent conversation with, as she wasn't scared of him.

“Princess, it’s nice to see you acting how you should, although I understand why you don’t around the other ponies. So, Is it a deal?” Stainless asked, sitting up, putting his drink down and extending his hoof

Cadence levitated her drink to one side and sat up “It’s a deal” she shook his hoof.

It was emotional when Princess Cadence said her goodbyes to the mares at the Prancing Mare. They had been seeing her a little less recently, but it hadn't softened the blow. The alicorn promised to send as many bits to them as she could spare, to use as they saw fit. There was a battle of protests from both sides, but the alicorn pulled out her large wings to win that battle.

The MC and the owner understood that the pink princess had to move on eventually, but were sad from a professional and a personal perspective. She had turned their business around but that’s not why they would miss her. She was always good for a bit of banter or interesting conversation, and the chances of them ever conversing with royalty again were slim.

Cadence then went back to her flat and said goodbye to her neighbours, to make sure they didn’t worry if they didn't see her for a while. Levitating her few belongings over her head she made her way to her new more home. It was more luxurious, and ceratinly where she needed to be, but life was going to be more dangerous and interesting from now on.