Megan's Quest

Rest at the Royal Paradise

"Wow, this place is incredible!" Alonzo said in awe, as the little group walked through the golden archway flanked by the giant Celestia and Luna statues. "I've never seen it's like in all the cities of men!"

"What? Oh yeah, it's wonderful, isn't it?" Megan replied nonchalantly, having been here many times before.

"The Royal Paradise is always a wonderful place to visit, being the political center of the entire confederacy, and it's outlying kingdoms." Wind Whistler offered, flapping above the other two. "Why I do intend to bring my own daughter here, given the chance."

"Awww geez Windbag, do ya have ta sound like some Bright Valley travel agent?" Gusty snorted, looking up at her Pegasus friend in annoyance. "I'll admit it's a nice place, but why's it have ta be so flanking crowded?"

"A lot of ponies come here to do business, Gusty." Sundance replied, trying to shove her way through the crowds, and keep up with her friends. "Now let's just all try to stay together, and not get lost in all these ponies, okay?"

The capital city of the Royal Paradise spread out before them- proud, regal, and showing the strength of a confederacy that had lasted for more than five hundred years. The cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings of the citadel glistened in the sun, and the sounds of bartering and commerce from a thousand voices filled their ears. All around them, flutter ponies, Pegasus, unicorns, and earth ponies trotted about the street, going about matters both business and political. As they passed the two slightly out-of-place humans, the two could hear a mixture of comments from the crowd.

"That's odd, what are humans doing at the Royal Paradise this time of day?"

"Oh wow, isn't that the legendary Megan? I heard she helped the princess ponies save Ponyland!"

"Oh great, Dream Valley's pet human is here. Just what the capital needs."

"Zounds, it seems our presence had drawn quite a bit of attention." Alonzo noted, looking at all the ponies around them. "do they always act this way when our kind is around?"

"There are always like this, pay no attention to it."  Megan replied, as the five companions made their way up towards the keep at the very center of the citadel. "You'll get used to it, after enough visits here to the Royal Paradise."

The two humans and three ponies were greeted by a royal servant, who bowed politely, and led them into the main hall. There, they were greeted by the sight of a wide and beautiful chamber stretching out before them.

"Honored senior and senioritas, please wait here." The orange servant pony bowed to the group, before trotting out towards the hallway. "One of their highnesses will be with you shortly."

As they were left alone in the chamber, the ponies and people looked around at all the fantastic art or architecture.

"This is... oh my heavens..." The human knight was left speechless, as he stared up at the colorful mosaics and beuatiful golden chandeliers. "How can ponies make such wonderful architecture, without any hands or-"

"We have other attributes that help us, Alonzo, in regards to both magic and Pegasus flight." Sundance snorted indignantly at their human friend.  "Don't sell our species short just because we lack fingers or opposable thumbs."

"Not to mention our advanced technical skills, and extremely advanced intellects." Wind Whistler added smugly. "While I do admire the exotic and unique cultures and civilizations you humans have built, we ponies have accomplished a great deal that we can be proud of, as well."

"Yeah, and we've been around a lot longer than you guys, as well." Gusty blurted out, talking in her usual insensitive manner. "While we were building castles and cities , your ancestors were getting themselves tossed out of the Horsemaster's gardens for eating an apple."

"Lady Gusty, that in no way to talk to our human guests!" A lavender mare with a turquoise mane snorted, coming down the grand staircase at the far end of the chamber. "A mare should conduct herself with far more dignity and tact, than you are doing at the present moment!"

Turning to face the source of the voice,  the three ponies quickly bowed to the unicorn with the damsel hat, and Sir Alonzo quickly fell to one knee, kneeling on his sword. Only Megan remained standing, as the royal pony trotted up to the band of travelers.

"Princess Amethyst Sparkle, so wonderful to see you again!" Megan declared, inclining her head to the princess pony. "I didn't expect it to be you here to greet us!"

"Actually, it's Queen Amethyst, at the moment." The mare corrected her. "With my fellow princess ponies at the Equinia games in New Equestria, I've been left as the confederacy's sole monarch."

"Good ta see ya again, Amy! How ya been since that mess with the lava demo-OOF!" Gusty replied with a grin, before Wind Whistler cut her off with a hoof to the stomach.

"Queen Sparkle, we have come here, seeking information concerning the whereabouts of the lost Starlight lantern, which was taken in the time of-"

"I am fully aware of what you seek, sir knight." The queen replied, raising a hoof to interrupt him. "the treasure ye seek lies beyond the black mountains, in the troll fortress near Furbobia."

"T-the fortress of Darkness!?"  Wind Whistler  sputtered out, her eyes going wide. "But how in the world did  the lantern end up out there?"

That I shall be more than happy to explain over dinner, my good Lady Whistler." The queen motioned them all towards a pony servant, who was waiting on the stairs. "For now, Rayito here will show you to your rooms, where you may get freshened up before we speak again."

"Right this way, senior and senioritas." The same stallion with the sun ray burst symbol exclaimed, pointing up the stairs with a hoof. "I have already taken de liberty of drawing all of you warm bathwater, and prepared towels, and fresh clothes for de senior."

"Great, I feel like I could use some freshening up!" Sundance giggled, as the other two mares and Alonzo followed the servant up the stairs.

"One moment, Mistress Megan." The queen stopped the human woman, raising a hoof. "While I am pleased to see you, I must question your... odd attire. No offense Megan... but you resemble a human wench plying her trade in the red light district."

"You can thank my brother, for that, your highness." Megan groaned, rolling her eyes. "He told the ponies of Dream Valley that this was what warrior women wore into battle."

"Wait, this is the special armor Majesty commissioned for you as a gift?!" The queen cocked her head curiously. "Mistress Megan, please remove the headpiece."

"All right, your highness, if you say so." she reached up, and took the winged circlet off of her head. "But I really don't see what- EEP!"

It wasn't that her armor changed, for it remained exactly as it had been. Rather, a whole another layer of clothing appeared over top the thong bikini- namely, a short blue battle skirt and top.  White ruffled  lace poked out of the sleeves, skirt bottom, and skirt top. And a thin layer of light armor covered the  skirt and top.

"Wait, what, HOW!?" Megan sputtered in disbelief, looking down at herself.

"Just as I thought, t'was a circlet of invisibility." The queen sighed, shaking her head. "It was being used to make the outer layer of your armor invisible. A trick of your brother's, no doubt." She looked the new layer over. "I suppose you like dislike this design even more than the previous one."

"Don't like it!?" Megan asked incredulously, looking down at her wardrobe. "Your highness, I'm never taking this off!"