Author's Note

OK I rewatched "Fall of the Crystal Empire" by Silly Filly Studios and was hit by the inspiration hammer, train, anvil, oh and truck, all at once so here you all are, don't expect many more updates as we draw closer to August which is when college starts and then I put everything on the back burner until winter break, and then only for winter break can you expect an update or two until spring break, and then summer break trust me on this though, I will not be going to summer semester so no worries there

Chapter Six: The Date

Chapter Six: The Date

I saw Moonlit waiting outside the castle and I swallowed, 'Last chance' I thought as I glanced behind me to what could be known as freedom, though I probably would piss off Luna that way. So with a sigh I flew gently over and touched down in front of him. He didn't even react to my landing, but as soon as he caught sight of my dress―which was a vivid yellow with a blue sash, the dress hugged my body from the chest down to my hips before flowing into a skirt with a slit going from my hip to the hem―his mouth was open in surprise, which I hoped was a good thing.

“Um... Hi” I said a blush rising to my cheeks unbidden and I tried to squash the butterflies that were starting to fly around in my stomach...

I stood outside waiting for Rainbow Dash, hoping to get this date done and over with so I could tell Luna I didn't want her to try this again when Rainbow landed right in front of me, I had known someone was near, but it didn't surprise me that it was Rainbow, but as soon as I caught sight of what she was wearing my jaw dropped, she was drop dead gorgeous, her mane had been done up in a way that accented the natural flow of the rainbow in her hair, and her dress was perfect, a product of Ms. Rarity's no doubt, I was beginning to doubt that Rainbow was only doing this because Luna told her to.

“Um... Hi” she said a blush starting to rise of her cheeks as I stared, but I then shook my head clear of any of the treacherous thoughts as my own eyes betrayed me and started to take in every aspect of the pegasus mare in front of me.

“Oh um... Hi” I said after he realized she had been talking to me...

After that point they had some small talk, as they walked out of the Everfree―which had by that point become very tame, what with Consul Luna and with the Evening Armada constantly patrolling the forest―and they began to head directly for Ponyville and for a fancy restaurant that neither could pronounce the name of, more of Rainbow led Moonlit there as Rarity had suggested the restaurant. Soon though they arrived and were seated, Moonlit frowning at the express service, which he attributed their small amount of fame, until Rainbow admitted to calling a head and reserving them a table...

I had just sent my coltfriend on a date with another mare, some would say that I was looking too far forwards, that he hadn't even married me yet, but if somepony could hold a love for as long as he did, then I have nothing to worry about. Besides if he does run away with her, then I will have been proven right, regardless of how little that will lessen the blow. All these thoughts ran through my head as I watched Rainbow and Moonlit walk down the path out of the Everfree and I smiled as I saw what Rainbow was wearing. I do hope that this date goes off without a hitch...

Sitting at the table, and eating... That was what I was doing. I wasn't staring at the beauti-at the mare across the table. Though seriously if she would clean herself up more often she'd have suitors coming out of woodworks.

“What? Do I have something stuck in my teeth?” asked Rainbow and I sighed shaking my head, while I was glad she didn't actually know why I was staring at her, it was embarrassing that she was this clueless. Maybe it was a facade? Perhaps...

“No, you don't, Rainbow, though you are very beautiful tonight, why don't you get dressed up more often I am sure you would have suitors fighting to have a chance to be with you then” I asked and I heard her scoff.

“Sure I would, maybe, but not the kind I want, I don't like getting all dolled up, it takes away from time training. I mean, even if I am the head of the Shadowbolts, I still have to keep up my training!” she said with enthusiasm, “I mean you still keep up your training even though you are a general AND Consul Luna's personal guard, right?” she shot back and I bit my lip to bite back a retort but still I felt as if she was taking a personal jab at me.

“I do, of course, I would not be an effective guard if I slacked off, but I did not mean it like that” I said and she chuckled lightly...

“No, you don't, Rainbow, though you are very beautiful tonight, why don't you get dressed up more often I am sure you would have suitors fighting to have a chance to be with you then” Moonlit asked I scoffed at him.

“Sure I would, maybe, but not the kind I want, I don't like getting all dolled up, it takes away from time training. I mean, even if I am the head of the Shadowbolts, I still have to keep up my training!” I said enthusiastically, “I mean you still keep up your training even though you are a general AND Consul Luna's personal guard, right?” I shot back and I saw him bite his lip, I hope I didn't insulted him too much. I mean I had heard that kind of thing so many times before, but if I actually got a suitor, a potential mate, I want them to be alright with my training schedule.

“I do, of course, I would not be an effective guard if I slacked off, but I did not mean it like that” he said and I chuckled lightly.

“So I didn't hurt your pride too much with my comment” I teased lightly and the playful glare he gave me actually made me blush again. This was ridiculous, I am Rainbow Dash! I don't blush at every little thing! Still though... Maybe Luna had a point... And I should be honored that she would want to invite me into her herd...

“So I didn't hurt your pride too much with my comment” she teased and I glared at her, though most of the intensity was lost as I saw the blush on her face. 'Tartarus! That blush is making her more attractive!' I thought and she seemed to gather more confidence. “So... What did you do to land the princess?” asked and then cringed at the wording of the question, “I mean...”

“I know what you meant” I said bitingly and she seemed surprised at my response but I didn't care, I almost got up and left when I remembered that Luna had asked me to make Rainbow happy. I gritted my teeth and took a deep breath. “No, you didn't hurt my pride, Rainbow” I managed to say calmly, and the small apologetic smile from Rainbow was enough for me to realize that she really didn't mean to insult me. I just sighed...

“No, you didn't hurt my pride, Rainbow” Moonlit managed to say and I shot him an apologetic smile, I really didn't intend to insult him, sometimes I just speak before I think...

The dinner was quiet after that, or at least until I decided to try and start up a conversation again...

“I am sorry” she said and I looked at her a little confused at first until it clicked she was talking about earlier.

“No, I am sorry that I let it get to me, I did learn that you are one that reacts first, something I admire in my fellow soldiers and fellow guardsponies” I managed to say. Whilst not lying I did not like admitting that there were things I admired about her, easier for me to just pretend that this was only a date of forced circumstance rather than admit that maybe Luna had a point that there was something I could gain from having more than one marefriend. Of course she picked up on that.

“You really don't want to be here, do you?” Rainbow asked and I sighed and shook my head.

“No, not really” I replied and she laughed slightly.

“You know, maybe you should trust your mare, she may actually be looking out for you” I was about to give a retort when I realized Rainbow was only trying to give some advice; while not in a way she was used to, what with the dress and the atmosphere, but what was said next was pure Rainbow Dash, “Besides, if I had to be honest, who else would Luna pick but someone as awesome as me” I rolled my eyes and chuckled before returning to my food.

I smiled at Moonlit, so there was something he liked about me and while it was something he liked about a lot of his fellow soldiers it was still something, so I continued to eat and when the bill came I was about to speak up when Moonlit paid the bill in full right there.

“Y-you didn't have to do that” I said and Moonlit just gave me a cocky grin and my eyes narrowed. Oh, it is on! “Excuse me sir, can you recommend a good year for the Sweet Apple Acres Sweet Cider?” I asked and Moonlit glared at me and I just gave a flirty smile as the waiter managed to answer the question and I bought a bottle to take with us before he could say a word...

'Damned mare! I cursed as she bought the cider, no use in me trying to fight it this time she was intent, but I do have to admit her smile was pretty sexy and my eyes seemed to tell her that 'cause she winked at me before getting up and started out of the restaurant. So with a roll of my eyes I followed her out. Once we were out Rainbow gave me a sly smirk before grabbing my hand and taking off, I didn't even have a chance to scream as she flew at her full speed and we soon landed in a clearing far from the town and I glared at her about to say something when she landed beside me and handed me the sweet cider and I sighed before removing my jacket and placed it on the grass for her to sit on...

I smiled at his action, I mean I was going to just sit down on the grass in my dress, but Moonlit actually gave me some place to sit that I didn't have to worry about my dress.

“So... Where are we?” he asked and I chuckled lightly before pointed towards Ponyville not too far away, but kept quiet other than that as he opened the sweet cider...

I watched out the window as Moonlit came staggering down the path towards the Castle and I let out a giggle when he tripped but stopped himself from falling with a telekinetic field. I knew from how he was acting that he had been drinking so I met him at the entrance and attempted to keep a straight face as he tripped and stumbled up to the gate.

“So... Been drinking have you?” I asked and he only gave me a grin before grabbing me and pulling me into a sloppy kiss, while it reeked of alcohol it also was very sweet in taste, and he chuckled throatily as he pulled away.

“You know, Luna, my love, I think you may be right about Rainbow, she's fun to be with” he said and I laughed with him as he started to break down into laughter, he seemed to be in a good mood...