//-------------------------------------------------------//
                      The Opening Act                      
                    -by LucasGreenX23-                     
//-------------------------------------------------------//
//-------------------------------------------------------//
             Letters (And the News They Bring)             
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Letters (And the News They Bring)
Cloudsdale in winter. It was truly something that every Pegasi had to experience, at least once. It was a time when the ground beneath and under the city's borders disappeared from view, the massive cities and vast green fields replaced by a thick fluffy blanket of pure white clouds.
Granted it did make travel to the ground a tad... tricky, but then again that was the point. Because for three months of the year the Pegasi effectively owned the skies. While the Earth Ponies, Unicorns and other races could only enjoy the clouds, the Ponies of Cloudsdale had the real sky all to themselves.
It was a time of celebration for all Cloudsdale natives, The Pegasi Migration Celebration. Every year around this time, Cloudsdale played host to a great many parties and get togethers from Pegasi from all across Equestria and beyond. Some called it a testament to how far the Pegasi had come, from their early years of their flocks huddling in nests on the ground to actually living in the sky. Whilst others, mostly disgruntled ground ponies, thought of it as the Pegasi thinking themselves above the other races.
In reality it was more of a salute to how hard each Pegasi had worked to make their city and sky what it was each and every day, an honoring of the part each Pegasi played, be they studying in school, busying themselves around their home or earning a living in whichever career they have chosen, no contribution was considered too small. It was a time every Pegasi enjoyed, but in Cloudsdale they took it to another level. Streamers, balloons and banners dotted every street and sign, beautiful kites were flown and parties were held at least every other day.
Many races believe that it is the Earth Ponies who value hard work and cooperation above all things and in many respects that was true, however the same could easily be said about Pegasi; As the famous Hippogriff zoologist 'Chancy Vanderhoofen' once stated,
"While it is clear zat most Pegasi exhibit flock behaviour similar to their Avian cousins, it vood not be out of zee realm of possibility zat they have more in common with zee Apis mellifica, otherwise known as zee 'Bee'. As can be seen from their behaviour within their flocks and communities, they follow a strict hierarchy, with each member working towards zee good of zee whole..."
And of course each Pegasus's contribution was appreciated and well rewarded.
However, for the Pegasi that either made no contribution or had brought trouble and shame to their flock or community, life was nothing short of miserable.
To bring shame to ones flock or to play no part in its growth, to do nothing... That was unacceptable! It was akin to refusing to fly or being afraid of heights, the punishment for both being total banishment from the flock. At times Pegasi foals had been outright abandoned because of this. But that was a rare occurrence nowadays, there had been reports of this every few years or so, but that was more often than not due to radical Pegasi traditionalists. Yet on the other hoof, that was simply the Pegasi way. To some it may seem unfair but really nothing could be done. Intelligence and societies could change, but basic instinct and genes, that was something else entirely. It only adds further proof to the 'Bee' theory when you take into account that, centuries ago, a disgraced member of the flock would have been beaten to death by the other wingmates, family or not.
To a Pegasi, losing ones flock was similar to losing a part of themselves. They feel a sense of unyielding personal loss. A flock wasn't merely a group of close Ponies, It was a tightly knit unit of trust, understanding and love. Some Pegasi fortunate enough could possibly find acceptance within other flocks, or similar groups with members of other races on the ground. But to others, the very act of losing their flock could prove too much to bare.
One such Pegasi sat motionless on her haunches, inside the large and seemingly endless hallways and lock ups that formed the Cloudsdale Self-Storage depot.
Inside her locked storage locker/ make shift living accommodations, the aquamarine Pegasus known as 'Lightning Dust' sat shifting through boxes of old photographs and papers. The walls were enchanted of course to prevent both loss of possessions and danger to the ponies below. Mostly the box in front of her contained foalhood scribbles and ramblings and of course her treasured foalhood friend, a stuffed blue Pegasi plush with a white mane and tail. She hadn't much room for sentimentality right now and yet the sight of her soft stuffed friend still managed to bring a smile to the mares muzzle, however brief.
Her attention was momentarily drawn to a snapshot of herself, back when she was a filly on Nightmare Night. Little filly Lightning Dust stood tall and proud, wings open and saluting the camera in her hoof-made Wonderbolt costume. Lightning wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eye; her memories brought her no comfort, but to a disgraced Pegasi, memories were all she had left.
"(Sniff) You sure had a lotta potential girl" she said softly, carefully placing the picture back in the box.
It was a ritual that Lightning Dust took part in each and every day. Get up out of her mint green sleeping bag, use what little money she had for the day to eat from the food cart outside, clean herself up by diving through rain clouds and then cap the day off by staring at her boxed up possessions. It was a process that she followed day after day and one that would most likely continue until her savings finally dried up and she was inevitably thrown out. But despite everything, she could not bring herself to go out and find another job. Thanks in no small part to how her previous career had ended, nopony in Cloudsdale or any Pegasi in general would hire her. A disgraced and banished Pegasi was one thing, but the severity behind why it had happened had been so immense, so monumentally bad, that chances were most Ponies in Equestria would know. From the many different headlines, articles, gossip columns and tabloid trash, even Unicorns and Earth Ponies weren't willing to lend her a helping hoof.
Pushing aside her box of foalhood memories, she pulled forward a large plastic tub. Inside lay a great many trophies, medals, ribbons and certificates. A sum total of her life's work. All her achievements, all of her victories, all mere stepping stones towards an even greater challenge... Acceptance into the Wonderbolts.
She could still remember the look of unabashed pride on her flocks faces when she told them she'd been accepted into the Wonderbolt Academy. Her father had been especially proud. Lightning chuckled as she remembered how her father had spent the following week bragging to each and every one of his many friends and colleagues at the weather factory, and of course news among Pegasi spread fast...
Both the good and the bad.
Everything at the academy had been going so well. Lightning Dust held a steady position as top of her unit and had for a time been in the running for early approval and advancement. She'd mastered midair recovery, aced tactical flight planning and even Spitfire, one of Lightning's great idols, had expressed interest in adding her to the Wonderbolts roster.
Things had been going so well.
Lightning Dust's already downtrodden and depressive state took another sharp descent as her eyes fell upon what everypony would consider the black mark on her otherwise spotless list of accomplishments.
It was a letter. But not just any letter, it was 'The' Letter. This sole, individual, particular piece of paper, may as well have been her death certificate. This letter had been the last tiny pebble that set in motion the avalanche that had become her life.
It read...
From: Princess Celestia Sol of Equestria, Commander-in-Chief Spitfire of the Equestrian Army First Response Battalion, The Department of Royal Affairs Canterlot, EQ
Name: Lightning Dust     Date: 08/03/1007 AN
Cadet Number: 23
Subject: Notification of Dishonorable Discharge from the Equestrian Army First Response Battalion Training Academy.
Reference: (a) WB-TM PG-1187
You are hereby notified of your immediate discharge from the Equestrian Army First Response Battalion Training Academy and the Equestrian Military per paragraph 5200.1 of reference (a) by reasons of Reckless Endangerment of your fellow Cadets, and acts of brash negligence which resulted in placing Princess Celestia Sol's student, Arch-Mage Twilight Sparkle and the remaining Elements of Harmony in mortal peril.
The bases of this separation come after several revealing letters as well as a thorough report to both Commander-in-Chief Spitfire and Princess Celestia from the desk of the Arch-Mage and the Elements of Harmony, detailing in depth their own opinions as to your judgement, sense of self worth and absolute disregard for all except yourself.
You have the right to request a hearing before a Royal Administrative Board should you wish prior to a waiting period of six to eight weeks. Per paragraph 6595 of reference (a).
Signed: Commander-in-Chief Spitfire and The Department of Royal Affairs Canterlot
(Stamped with the Royal Canterlot Crest)
The tears fell fresh and fast down the ruined mares cheeks. Tossing the now crumpled up letter back into the tub, she clutched her blue Pegasus plushie close, as though it were a life preserver in a rough and relentless sea.
What would the unfortunate mare do when she was finally kicked to the curb? Many nights for the past seven months, in between the nights terrors and crying herself to sleep she'd considered taking the plunge. Just like so many other disgraced Cloudsdale Pegasi, Lightning Dust contemplated simply tying her wings to her side, stepping over the edge and letting Elysium take her. It would be so easy. She could close her eyes, feel the wind rushing through her mane, at least she would leave the mortal realm experiencing a whisper of something she loved.
But no, not yet. Because giving up now would be like telling the world that they were right. Like telling all who mocked, abandoned and outright attacked her that they were in the right.
That was the part that hurt her the most. That after all she had endured, after all of her hard work had been reduced to nothing, after her own flock had deserted her and even after her reputation and good name had been completely destroyed... These Ponies, correction, these monsters still considered themselves to be in the right, that they were the heroes and that she was nothing but a harbinger of chaos and despair.
A Villain!
And it all started because of one Pony, the one Pony who couldn't stand not being Leadpony, the Pony who went out of her way to go behind her back and complain to 'Her Hero' Spitfire, the one Pony at the academy who once she would gladly have considered a friend, Rainbow Dash!
Holding her only remaining friend close, Lightning's thoughts drifted back... back to the day that would forever remain burned into her memory.
She had been summoned to the Commanders office for whatever reason, at the time she'd assumed it was because of her record breaking cloud clearing technique. Admittedly it hadn't gone quite as well as she'd planned, but that was why she was here though, to learn and improve. That was always her philosophy in life, 'You Learn, You Adapt or You'll Get Left Behind' always gotta stay ahead, can't see what's ahead when there's others blocking your way.
To her left was the door to Commander Spitfire's office. Lightning Dust wasn't sure why she would be called here only to have to wait, but since it was a direct summons from Spitfire, she knew the Commander must have a good reason.
To her right, a few doors down the empty hallway, she could hear talking from inside the break room. There were two male voices, and since this was the higher ups offices it was most likely two of Spitfire's guard Ponies. Whatever it was they were chatting about, it sounded important.
"... The nerve of that Rainbow mare, can you believe she just barged into the Commander's office like that?"
Lightning's ears pricked at the mention of the Commander. Somepony barged into her office, this was too important to ignore.
"I'll say dude, I've never seen Spitfire make that face before. First Recruit I've ever seen hand in their badge..."
Somepony quit, not surprising really. Someponies weren't cut out for the Military life.
"... Well I don't get it, I mean it's great to have principles and the like, but who trades away a shot at the big leagues because they got a beef with somepony else..."
Lightning Dust was on the edge of her seat. Unlike most Pegasi, she'd never been one to gossip, but this conversation was sounding juicer than the fruit shakes they served in the mess hall.
"Well I heard it was cause some of her civilian friends got caught in that little twister out on the runway."
Lightning Dust froze. Friends? In a twister? Was this Rainbow Dash they were talking about?
"Wait, you saw it? There really was a tornado? I just thought that mare was full of hot air..."
'Rainbow Dash quit?' That didn't make any sense. Sure she seemed a little on the jealous side when they met, but she'd never have pegged Rainbow for a quitter. Nah, it couldn't be. Had to be one of the other Cadets, or at least she hoped.
The sound of a door opening to her left snapped Lightning out of her thoughts. The neutral looking face of Spitfire emerged from the door way, a silent hoof beckoning her inside and Lightning Dust was quick to follow. Inside the office blinds were half closed, giving the room an interrogation chamber like feel.
Spitfire, hard as nails as she was, never enjoyed this part of the job. This particular incident came as a nastier sting than the others. In almost all of her experiences with giving this type of news, it was usually down to Cadet incompetence or sometimes the fact that they just didn't have what it takes. But this time was different, this was Lightning Dust. The Wonderbolt Commander had seen what this mare was capable of multiple times, both at various athletic competitions and once at a mid-show race during a Wonderbolts Tour.
The new recruits had been here less than a week and already she'd had Lightning Dust pegged as a Wonderbolts hopeful.
And now, thanks in large part to a certain Rainbow-maned Pony's lofty connections, she now had to shatter this Pony's future.
Spitfire could only hope Lightning's flock would be understanding.
Spitfire took a seat, not at her desk but instead on one of the two cushions that faced her usual daily location. Spitfire was a mare who always dealt with her problems head on, not behind a heavy desk. Facing Lightning Dust she saw the pride in the Cadets eyes fade away, soon replaced by a look of growing unease. Forcing her doubts about this into the back of her mind, she spoke...
"At ease Cadet Lightning Dust. Before we begin I'd like to ask you a quick question. 'Whether we're performing for crowds of thousands or taking on an entire platoon of heavily armored Harpies, what is out primary concern outside of the mission objective?'"
The answer came easily to Lightning, she'd scoured the Wonderbolts training manual many times over.
"The primary concern of any Wonderbolt should be the safeguarding of any and all innocents within the immediate area, unless ordered otherwise by no less than three high ranking officers, ma'am"
"Give me three examples of these 'innocents'"
"That would include, Civilians, be they Equestrian or otherwise is unimportant. Captured enemies and/or enemy deserters and, of course, our fellow Wingponies." Said Lightning Dust. Though she didn't show it, Spitfire was fairly impressed, if she'd been sitting behind her desk she would have sworn Lightning Dust was reading that straight out of the training manual. This only made what would follow all the harder.
"That is correct. So tell me Cadet Lightning. When you created that tornado to clear the clouds away... Be honest, What was going through your head at the time?" Lightning Dust could feel the color draining from her face, she didn't like where this talk was going.
"Uhhh, I guess I was thinking that it would be the fastest and most efficient solution, Commander."
Spitfire glanced over at the silver Wingpony badge that lay abandoned on her desk, strengthening her resolve she continued.
"Indeed, for arguments sake, what do you personally believe the second most important concern during any mission or show should be?"
Lightning Dust didn't even need to think about this one.
"To always be aware of your surroundings, ma'am" Lightning said with pride.
"I see. So, when you created that tornado out there you were both, looking out for your Wingmates and observing your surroundings?"
The tension in the room at that moment could be cut with a knife. Lightning Dust in that instant had suddenly developed Claustrophobia.
"Allow me to answer that one for you... The answers no. No you were not. You were so focused on winning, that you ended up placing both yourself, your partner and a balloon full of Civilians in danger."
"B-but Commander Ma'am, I-I was only..." But Spitfire wouldn't let her finish.
"You were only trying to be your best. Lightning Dust, being the best means nothing... Abso-lutley Nothing! If you fail in your duty to safeguard the lives of both your squad mates and those unfortunate enough to be caught in the crossfire."
"It's not my fault... T-this is a restricted military training ground, those ponies shouldn't have been there. Civilians aren't allowed up here. A-and visitors aren't allowed until after the first month of basic training." Lightning Dust did her best to plead her case, but as she had known, especially after years of being a Wonderbolts fan, Spitfire had an answer for everything.
"Not if they're royalty"
Lightning Dust's world came to a screeching halt. 'Royalty? Was one of those Ponies related to the Princesses? Oh buck, oh bucking buck is this bad!' She thought.
"The purple Unicorn in the group is none other than, Twilight Sparkle, Arch-Mage or Student if you will of Princess Celestia herself. As for the other Ponies, together they form the single greatest weapon the Equestrian Royal Family has at its disposal. The Elements of Harmony... If something had happened to any one of those mares. Equestria and it's people would have been left without their most powerful defense and Princess Celestia would have been on the war path, probably shutting 'us' down as well as taking any chance of a future away for both myself and you!" Spitfire appeared to look towards the window in contemplation, but really it was so she wouldn't have to watch the poor Pegasus tremble. Now more than ever, she was glad she kept a bottle of the hard stuff in her desk. She had a feeling she'd be needing it once she was alone again.
"I-I didn't know, it was an accident, I couldn't have known they'd be there, they had no reason to be there. Please, I'm sorry. All the other Cadets were way behind a-and I trusted my Wingpony to help with taking the tornado down. I didn't mean for this to happen."
"Hmmm, famous last words if I ever heard them. It saddens me to say this Cadet Lightning Dust, you are hear by placed on suspension from the Wonderbolt Academy and the Equestrian Military until a comity of officials from Canterlot have finished their investigation of what has occurred today and decide how best to proceed."
Lightning couldn't breath. 'This isn't happening, this can't really be happening'
"Guards" Spitfire called out. Not three seconds later, two stallions burst through the office door, very nearly taking it off its hinges. "Escort Cadet Lightning Dust to a holding room until I say otherwise and have somepony stall Cadet Rainbow Dash and her friends before they leave." The larger of the two guard Ponies made to remove a set of wing cuffs from his belt.
"Don't bother with those Mister Locke," Spitfire looked down at Lightning Dust's misty eyed face. Her true self momentarily breaking through her cold Commander self as she placed a comforting hoof on Lightning's hoof. "I guarantee she won't be any trouble".
The long wait in the holding room seemed to take a lifetime to Lightning Dust. All around the sterile white room, her thoughts bounced from wall to wall like a persistent echo. For the first time in forever, her future was uncertain. This wasn't something that could be excused as an accident, however true it was. She was essentially being accused of attempted Regicide. To someponies, attempted or accidental, even if it wasn't true, was as good as guilty. And the shame. Dear Celestia, the shame this would bring upon her flock if this got out. They'd disown her. Banish her even. And if word about this reached the other Pegasi in Cloudsdale. Her life would be completely destroyed.
In what amounted to around ten minutes, Lightning Dust was escorted from the building by the two guard Ponies and Spitfire herself. Try as she might, her apologies and pleads of what happened being 'an accident' fell on deaf ears. Ahead of the group stood Rainbow Dash and friends, the ones who despite everything Spitfire had said, still should not have been there... Especially only four days after opening day. Unless there was some crisis brewing somewhere that needed the Elements immediate attention, then they shouldn't have been there. There had to be someway she could use that in her defense, if it actually came to that.
As they moved closer and closer, Lightning could vaguely make out what they were saying. It took only five seconds for Lightning Dust to hate the pink one more than she already did.
"... I'm real sorry it didn't work out Dashie. And we came all this way to bring you this care package."
'What?' Lightning thought. Everything around her becoming mere white-noise except for this conversation.
"Thanks Pinks, but you could have just mailed it to me" said Rainbow Dash
"Yeah I know, but it was taking soooo~ long I just couldn't wait... So we pumped up Twilight's balloon and came right here, and you were so surprised when we showed up and..."
'What?!!' Lightning Dust screamed in her head to to the point where her vision became dizzy and hazy. 'The reason my career, my hopes and dreams, my entire life being completely shattered... Is all because some sugar crazed Earth Pony was too impatient to wait more than a few days for the mail!'
The Earth Pony with the hat and county accent spotted the group walking over.
"Uhhh Rainbow Dash, I think you got company" she said, pointing a hoof toward Spitfire
"Rainbow Dash, how dare you storm out of my office without giving me a chance to respond! The Wonderbolts are looking for the best fliers in Equestria; you were right, being the best should never come at the expense of our fellow Ponies." Spitfire held her ground as best she could, she really didn't think the charges against Lightning Dust were as severe as Rainbow Dash made them out to be, accidents happened, even here, especially here. But if word of what happened here got back to the higher ups, including the Princesses back in Canterlot, both the Wonderbolts and Lightning Dust would be ruined. So, despite her best instincts, she had to keep Rainbow and the Elements as placated as possible.
"It's not just about pushing ourselves, it's about pushing ourselves in the right direction. You've shown the your capable of doing just that."
Spitfire turned to Lightning Dust and beckoned her over, Lightning's head hung low she begrudgingly did as Commander instructed. Looking up into her eyes, Lightning could swear behind those glasses and serious expression, there was a shimmer of something else. Regret maybe? But she couldn't be sure. Spitfire reached forward and literally tore Lightning's Leadpony badge from her uniform. Lightning chocked back a sob, she refused to appear weak in front of her idol. Because despite everything that had happened today, that's what the Commander was to her and had been for years.
As she was lead away, one thought did cross her mind. Why did Rainbow Dash get her Leadpony badge? That was the one part she couldn't understand.
Spitfire hated this. She hadn't meant to tear Lightning's uniform either, she was just desperate to end this as quickly as possible.
"You're no Wingpony Rainbow Dash, your a Leader." 'Good, the Arch-Mage and the Elements seem happy, If our luck holds out, maybe they won't tell Celestia about this. I'll say I put the Cadet on suspension, then if the comity approves, maybe I can bring Cadet Lightning back at Wingpony level and forget this day.'
"Now get up there and give me twenty!"
"Yes ma'am" Rainbow saluted with eager enthusiasm.
As Rainbow Dash took off into the sky with her fellow Cadets, two things weighed on the Commander's mind. One, that she desperately needed a glass of her special hard liquor and two, 'I should never have let somepony so close to the monarchy join the academy', That had been a huge risk on her part and it had blown up in her face. Now it was too late.
Lightning Dust watched as Rainbow Dash took off with the other Cadets right behind her, a look of pride plastered across her muzzle. Lightning didn't like it, she felt like there was something about all this that she was missing, that she wasn't being told.
"So that was her huh? The Rainbow Tornado herself." The guards talking brought Lightning Dust out of her trance.
"Heck yeah! The mare that left the boss pony speechless. Heck you think that was bad. You shoulda seen the look on her face when she came in the other day."
"I wasn't really paying attention"
"Meh I won't say nothing. But anywho, that Rainbow pony came in and demanded she be made Leadpony."
That part caught Lightning Dust's attention. Rainbow Dash went behind her back? When they were supposed to be friends.
"I guess someponies just think highly of themselves, still at least didn't leave the boss lady banging her head against the wall like earlier"
Rainbow Dash 'Was' the Pony from earlier! Which means she'd gone behind Lightning's back twice, and this time she'd told on her. What did Rainbow think this was, the first day on the school yard?!
Looking up at the sky, a Rainbow trail shot across the sky.
'Why, Rainbow Dash?'
But now Lightning Dust knew the truth, here in this cold storage locker she'd pieced it all together. With the help of articles, a hoof full of books and some common sense, she'd figured it out.
Spitfire had done this to keep the Princesses happy and to keep Lightning out of any real trouble. And it hadn't worked.
The Commander couldn't have known that all of the Elements would write to Princess Celestia. Heck, Lightning had only found out about that from one published in the Cloudsdale Times from the Element of Generosity, after an incident at the Cloudsdale stadium.
Of course when the Princess had found out that her, precious student, had been in danger. She'd swiftly ordered that Lightning Dust be barred from ever returning. That the letters had been added by the Princess personally into the investigation and that they were the honest opinions of the Elements of Harmony and the Princess herself, despite being strictly opinions, for most was more than enough to convict. And when her flock found out, they were furious.
Lightning's flock weren't just die hard Pegasi traditionalists, but they were also serious Loyalists to the Crown. To them, the word of the Princess was law.
Lightning refused to think about her flock again. She could still remember the screaming, the father trying to smash a lamp against her head for the embarrassment caused. Lightning had been the only one crying at her home on that day. Everpony else only offered abuse and in the case of her mother, she'd ignored Lightning as though she wasn't even there. Finally her father had managed to get a hoof around her mane and had thrown her out the front door, telling her to never darken their doorway with her banished self ever again.
Lightning Dust knew better than to return, if she hadn't been the first born of her flock, she was sure her father would have done far worse then a severe beating. Which was something the tabloids seemed to omit.
Every article seemed hell bent on portraying her as a heartless villain. No mention that the Princesses student and her friends had technically been illegally trespassing. No mention of her character up until that point. No mention of the abuse she'd suffered from everypony because of it. Just that Lightning was a monster and that the Princess made a good decision in barring her return.
Some articles claimed Spitfire was involved in that decision, but Lightning Dust refused to believe it. Spitfire was a Pegasi, she knew what would happen if the news got out about the how and why.
No. Deep in her heart, she knew the truth.
This was all Rainbow Dash's fault.
Rainbow Dash had gone behind her back twice to become Leadpony. Rainbow Dash was the reason the Princesses bucking student and the Elements of bucking Harmony had been there. Rainbow Dash had forced Spitfire into an Ultimatum, she goes or I do. Rainbow Dash had gotten her own way and yet she still wrote to Princess Celestia. As a Pegasus she must have known what would happen.
'Rainbow Dash'
Something inside Lightning Dust snapped.
"Rainbow Bucking Dash!!!"
With a blast of speed that would give Fleetfoot the shakes, Lightning kicked her box of awards into a stack of her other boxed possessions causing the whole lot to come crashing down. Several trophies fell out, hitting the floor with a metallic 'clang'.
"It's not fair! IT'S NOT FAIR!!!"
Tears flew fast and free from Lightning's eyes as she launched one of her fallen trophies against the cloud wall. Lightning lifted another random box above her head before slamming it repeatedly in to the ground. The shattered glass sound coming from inside went unnoticed by Lightning Dust, her own anger trumped all rationality, right now she just wanted to let loose and break anything that got in her way.
Lightning's attention was drawn to her plushie lying haphazardly on the floor. To anypony with eyes, it was still the same blue Pegasus with a white mane and tail. Maybe it had something to do with her emotions at the time, or perhaps Lightning's depression ran deeper than she thought, but to her the plush toy had suddenly taken on the unmistakable appearance of Rainbow Dash.
Wide eyed, Lightning Dust slowly walked over to her stuffed friend, a disturbingly calm expression on her face.
Lightning's face switched from neutral to blind fury in a second. Tossing the toy into the corner with her teeth, Lightning leapt to the air and landed with full force on the doll.
"Rainbow Bucking Dash. You miserable waste of blood and feathers!" Lightning yelled, as she repeatedly stomped on the toy with her fore hooves.
"You. Stole. My. Bucking. Future!"
Lightning ripped the doll off the ground a second time and tossed it across the length of the lockup. She was more than eager to do it again, until she noticed something lying on the floor. During her rage fueled spaz attack, one of the plushie's wings had been torn off, and there it was, this little blue wing, ripped away from its owner like it was nothing... Just like how Rainbow had stolen her chance at the Wonderbolts, Lightning had torn away her foalhood friend's chance of ever being played with again, as she watched the cotton seep out of the exposed tear on the doll.
The Pegasus felt regret instantly, tears welling up in her eyes as she dashed over to her wounded friend, picked up the wing with her teeth. Lightning didn't own a sowing kit so any chance she had of fixing the doll was slim to none. All she could do was her friend close and weep into its soft fur.
"I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean it. It's not your fault." Lightning Dust was in such a state that she wasn't sure if she was saying this to the doll, or subconsciously to herself.
Carefully using her teeth, Lightning removed the other wing and dropped it on the floor beside her. Tearfully she looked the toy in the button eyes and moved some of it's once again white mane out of the way.
"(Sob) Well, looks like neither of us can join the Wonderbolts now."
Lightning wasn't sure how much time had passed, minutes? hours? She couldn't tell. At some point though, she'd fallen asleep, her now Earth pony plushie used for a pillow. A light rapping at her locker door pulled Lightning out of her dreams. 'Is this it?' She wondered, feeling groggy as she made to open the shutter door. 'Am I finally getting thrown out like an old feather-duster?'.
Lightning opened the shutter to find a bubbly faced Pegasus on the other side. Her uniform belonging to that of a package courier or mailpony. And the mare was wall eyed, that was hard to miss.
"Oh, hello there. Is this Cloudsdale Lockup, floor four, storage locker number fifty seven?" Said the sheepish looking Pegasus. To say Lightning was confused would be an understatement. The Storage Depot didn't have a mail service, and she never received mail anymore.
'"Uhhh, yeah that's this one, why?" said Lightning, frowning suspiciously.
"Phew, good. For a minute there I thought I'd gone to the wrong place. But anyway, I have a letter for you." The grey Pegasus nosed around in her brown satchel for a moment before pulling out a blue envelope, a wand and magic trail symbol present on its corner.
"Uhhh, thanks, I guess..." Lightning uneasily replied, taking the letter in her hoof.
"Your welcome, at Derpy Mail we deliver all kinds with time to spare."
"I... See. But why send it here?"
"You know, that's the weird thing, the mare... At least I think it was a mare, she was wearing a cloak you see. Came in to my office last week and gave me exact instructions on how to get here. She didn't give her name, only that this letter needed to be delivered here on this exact day. When I asked why, she said she needed an independent Pegasus courier who be trusted. (Giggle) which I guess means word of my business is getting around." said the mailpony
"Uh huh." This was too weird, how could anypony know where she was. She always covered up when going outside and paid with bits instead of cheques. How could somepony find her here? And why would they want to?
"Well if that's all then I gotta get going, and remember. Whether it's Letters, packages and everything in between. Derpy mail can handle it." With a final wave, the mail pony trotted down the hall and out of sight.
This had been a confusing morning for Lightning Dust, as she sat on her flank and ripped the envelope open with her teeth. Much like the envelope it came in, the paper was also blue, and the handwriting was fairly neat as well. The letter read...
Dear Miss Lightning Dust
I have used every resource at my disposal to ensure this letter arrived to you unimpeded and on time.
Myself, as well as most of Equestria, have heard tell of your unfortunate encounter with the Elements of Harmony, as well as the significantly negative backlash it has brought to your life. (You have my sincerest condolences by the way. It is a terrible experience I know all too well.)
I too am a victim of Princess Celestia's prized student and her infuriating Pitiful insufferable friends. However, that story can wait.
Whether you choose to believe me or not is irreverent.
What matters is, I have need of a fast/agile Pegasus for assistance with some light package delivery and collection work. (Of which you will be generously paid for of course.) For the next month, give or take a few weeks after should any complications arise.
I understand how hard it can be to find gainful employment after a fall from grace. I can barely imagine how difficult it must be to experience an ordeal such as yours and be declared banished by ones own family flock.
I would like for us to meet to discuss this further. That is if you're interested.
If you are interested in this job contract I am offering and/or would like to meet the Pony you would be working for before you begin, then come to the 'Black Chariot Inn', located roughly at the half way point on the main road between Canterlot and Ponyville.
I will be staying there for the duration of this week following the day you were scheduled to receive this letter, and have a second room pre-booked should you arrive.
I have a feeling you could use a soft bed and warm food after so long.
(When you arrive, ask for a reservation under the name 'Shimmer', the landlady should point you in my direction.)
As a show of good faith, and to show that I am more than capable of fulfilling the financial side of the agreement. I have taken the liberty of paying your storage rental fees for the next three months. (Don't believe me? Just ask the stallion at the front desk.)
If you have no interest in this job offer then rest assured that I will hold no ill will against you. If you do not show up, I will leave and you will not hear from me again. Consider the storage payment a gift, both for hoping to make Equestria a safer place with the Wonderbolts, and for showing a once beaten down mare that she's not alone.
(I know what it means to suffer in silence. To feel as though the whole world has turned against you. The Elements of Harmony did this to both of us. If nothing else then remember this... It is their fault, not yours.)
I will answer any and all questions you may have when/if I see you.
The choice is yours Lightning Dust.
Your future is yours to decide, and yours alone.
Think about it.
Sincerely - The Great and Powerful Trixie
xxx

//-------------------------------------------------------//
              Good Times at the Black Chariot              
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Good Times at the Black Chariot
It is a common misconception by most non-equines that the roads of Equestria are a dangerous place after dark. Many believe the sheer vastness of Celestia's domain, as well as the constantly expanding Everfree Forest, would make Equestria an ideal location for every opportunistic thief, bandit, smuggler and predator from all across the realms. This however was not the case. Because while it wasn't uncommon for a nocturnal traveler to encounter either a lone timberwolf or the occasional nosy fox, for the most part Equestria's various roads and trails were fairly well guarded.
It had been shortly after the original 'Changeling Invasion of Canterlot' that Princess Celestia had passed the 'Midnight Watch' bill, the outcome of which had brought several new guardhouses to the outskirts of every established settlement within Equestria's borders. Each night, teams of two or more batpony guards were selected for the arduous task of patrolling the road between their guardhouse and that of the nearest settlement location wise, which was better for someponies than others. For example, some of the guardponies of Appleloosa had the single straight walk to and from Dodge Junction each night, whilst the guardponies of Manehattan's north quarter had the unfortunate job of patrolling the long, winding and incredibly cold road between Manehattan and The Crystal Empire. For some it was a simple trot there and back by sun up, but for others, those in the higher, colder, more mountainous areas, it was a challenge making their original destination by mid-day, and that was without breaks. To say this took a strain on the guardponies both night and day was an understatement, the guardponies of Manehatten in particular. Whilst the Crystal Ponies of The Crystal Empire were trained for long hikes through frozen terrain, the Manehatten guardponies were completely out of their element, trained for speedy pursuits through crowded streets, not snow covered mountain passes, where visibility was low and there was a high chance of getting lost. After a time, it began to take a toll on the officers both new and old.
Surprisingly, despite their long hours and less than exceptional arrest rates, Manehatten is not considered the worst guarded settlement in Equestria. That title belonged to Ponyville.
For such a small town, it held the highest number of recorded accidents, attacks, environmental disasters and attempted takeovers in all the realms, out doing both the Griffon Empire's pirate infested 'Bay of Knives' and the Cyclops traveling slaver colony of 'Hu'kush'... both of which were wanted by the leaders of seven different realms across the known world.
In one day alone, Ponyville had fallen victim to runaway carts, the structural collapse of a number of buildings, a hot air balloon crash, a ruptured dam and a town wide disturbance by several Ponies decked out in leather and fedoras.
The accident rate in the town is so high, that someponies believe Ponyville doesn't actually have a garrison of guards. And for the most part, they didn't.
There were guards. Three of them to be precise, the bare minimum for a settlement Ponyville's size. One for the night patrol and two for the day. There had been twelve guards in total, but after the announcement that the Arch-Mage of Princess Celestia herself would be moving into town, the mayor had seen fit to slash three quarters of the town guard budget, viewing her town as 'untouchable'.
If you were to question the residents of Ponyville about where to find the guard house, more often than not, you would be directed to Twilight Sparkle's doorstep. However, if you were to question a traveler from the Canterlot road, you might just be pointed in the direction of the Black Chariot Inn.
xxx
The Black Chariot Inn, to some it served as a temporary refuge from the cold night air while to others, some of its less than reputable visitors, it was a regular home away from home. Good food, warm beds and will accept any who could pay, that was the owners motto. The two story building shared both the grand scale of Canterlot and the down home country design of Ponyville. Two lit torches marked its location halfway between the two settlements as well as the flawless black chariot that sat parked outside, a constant reminder of a battle fought long ago.
A fog had recently blown in from the Everfree Forest, blanketing Ponyville and much of the surrounding area. Out of the thick as pea soup veil and into the torch light strode a four legged figure, clad in a brown hooded cloak and held closed by a red jewel. Walking past the torches the figure took note of the pure black chariot and sign post. The sign atop a tall pole read 'The Black Chariot Inn' over a mural of a black Alicorn riding a black chariot lead by two armored batponies. While the grass around the chariots wheels had grown and caught the wheels in a strangle hold, the chariot itself didn't appear to have aged a day, there wasn't a hint of dirt or rust to be seen.
Trotting past, around and along the drive, the fog parted revealing the Black Chariot Inn in all its rustic glory. Lights from various candles flickered in the windows, indicating a lot of the rooms were occupied.
As the figure ascended the steps to the entrance, the double doors flew open as a brown Diamond Dog was thrown out and onto the gravel drive. A muscular Minotaur with a mad look on his face stood in the doorway, the scar across the left of his face and his missing left horn gave the impression he'd seen his fair share of bar brawls.
"...Aaaaaaand Stay Out! I see your miserable money-less hide round here again, I'll feed ya to Ripley!"
The Diamond Dog whimpered and ran out into the fog, disappearing from sight. The Minotaur snorted and spat on ground where the Diamond Dog once stood, flexing his muscles in masculine pride. Turning to walk back inside, the Minotaur noticed the hooded figure looking up at him from the side.
For a full thirty seconds the Minotaur and newcomer just stared at each other, neither budging from where they stood.
"Well? You coming in or not?!" said the Minotaur, walking back inside. The hooded figure was quick to follow.
The room inside was huge, and surprisingly inviting. There was a stone fire pit in the middle of the room with a smoke stack above that lead up through the ceiling. To the left was a set of doors, probably leading to the bedrooms and a large bar and kitchen surrounded by bar stools. To the right was a large staircase and another set of doors. And at the opposite end of the room was a series of tables and beyond that, a row of dining booths. But what really caught the figures attention was the patrons inside.
A female Minotaur in an orange apron stood behind the bar, cleaning a mug with a rag. Soon joined by what, or rather who, appeared to be her husband.
Two clearly intoxicated batponies sat at the bar, one downing a pint of amber fluid while the other appeared to be practicing hoof-fu.
A Griffon female sat by the fire pit, a round object clutched tightly in her talons.
A trio of Zebra sat at a table, each nursing a glass of red wine.
And two sad looking Diamond Dogs sat at a table to the far right, both staring in dismay at the door.
The individual in the cloak approached the bar.
"Who the B-buck does zat mayor think shhhhe is? I trained for f-four years for thisss job and what do I get? Zilch, nadda, nothin!" said the first batpony
"Buddy, you should just quit! Just tell that mayor to take that job and shove it up her dusty old..."
The figure turned her attention from the drunken night guards and pulled back her hood revealing the aquamarine Pegasus mare underneath. Standing on her back legs she leaning on the bar and waved over the landlady. The Lady Minotaur kept her frown as she turned to the Pony.
"Name" asked the Landlady. Much like the Harpies of the Frozen North, it was near impossible to tell the difference between a Male and Female Minotaur at first glance, in fact the similarities were so minuscule that some species had adopted the belief that Minotaurs as a race were hermaphrodites, and that Minotaur babies were 'just something that happened over time.'.
This of course, was false. While the two genders did look remarkably similar, the females actually have slightly shorter horns and whilst the males had mane-like hair atop their heads, the females had none.
"Lightning Dust" The Minotaur gave Lightning the once over. Something in the Minotaurs eyes told Lightning that she didn't believe her.
"That's okay I didn't need to know your real name anyway, but a word of advise lady, next time though, use the name of a Pony that's not so... rejected; Banished Pegasi are bad for business. Now, what'll it be Pony?" said the oddly deep voiced Landlady, sliding the mug to her husband at the end of the bar. Lightning Dust cleared her throat.
"Uhhh, apparently I have a reservation. Under the name 'shimmer'."
The Landlady looked to her husband who offered a quick nod in response.
"Ahhh, I know why your here. Miss Trixie's out back with Ripley, you can wait for her over there." said the Landlady, pointing to an empty booth in the far corner.
The Pegasus sighed as she trotted to her booth, the eyes of both the Diamond Dogs and the Griffon following her across the room. The Griffon shook her head and sighed as her attention returned to her bundle. The Diamond Dogs however huddled close, whispering back and forth all the while shooting quick glances in both Lightning's and the Griffon's directions.
Lightning took a seat in the booth and shuffled to the middle, taking off her cloak and setting it to her side. If somepony was going to sneak up on her she wanted to see them coming.
'I must be crazy, why'd I even come here?' Lightning thought, settling in for what she assumed would be a five minute wait. 'Oh right, It was either this or sell my trophies for food money.'
xxx
Idly nudging a salt shaker back and forth along the table, Lightning casually glanced up at the cuckoo clock above the bar. It was one in the morning, she'd been waiting for over an hour yet there was still no sign of this 'Trixie' Pony.
By now the trio of Zebra had paid their way and headed upstairs and the more sober of the two batponies had left, his drunken friend slung over his back.
Lightning's attention was drawn to the Griffon by the fire, still rhythmically stroking whatever it was in her talons. Behind her, the Diamond Dog's had moved a table closer, what Diamond Dogs would want with a Griffon Lightning would never know. But then again, she didn't really care.
'Well terrific, looks like I've been set up, for what? I dunno!' thought Lightning, leaning back and staring intently at the ceiling.
'Should have guessed this was a trick. Then again, somepony did pay my storage rental. So why invite me here and not bother turning up?' Lightning's mind was a tempest of unanswered questions. The scratching of one of the Diamond Dogs snapped Lightning out of her trance. The smaller black dog was scratching behind his ear with his leg.
'Yuck, that's what he gets for rolling around in the dirt.' thought Lightning; While she would never admit it aloud, she'd never been too fond of Diamond Dogs, but then again, none of the other races were either. Diamond Dogs are more often than not referred to as 'Dirt Farmers' or 'Walking Flea Magnets' and for good reason, they aren't a civilized race. Greed was their primary motivator, Gold and Gems in particular. Why do they want them? Nopony knows. Its the same plight most Dragons find themselves in. Once they have a little gold and/or a pawful of gems, they have to have more. Previous attempts to integrate the Diamond Dog populous into Equestrian Society had led to an increase in both muggings and burglaries, since that time many decades ago, Celestia had begrudgingly abandoned her attempts at a peaceful co-existence. The installation of the new guardhouses around Equestria had halted most foal-napping attempts by Diamond Dogs, for as disgraceful as it was, foal-napping Ponies or other creatures with gem finding abilities was the only way the mutts could find new gems. Unless they wanted to dig blindly until they found something. Fortunately for most, due to the Dogs inability to locate gold and gems without magic, the once one hundred strong Diamond Dog Packs of Equestria had disbanded, scattering leaderless to whatever dens and burrows they could find.
The taller caramel coated Dog swatted the smaller Dog's head with his paw, the smaller Dog cowered briefly before reaching into his red shirt and pulling out a brown sheath with a handle sticking out the end. The larger Dog pulled out an identical sheath from its raggedy grey shirt and laid it on the table, both Dogs attention fixed squarely on the oblivious Griffon.
Lightning didn't trust those Diamond Dogs. Granted, she didn't trust Diamond Dogs period. But the way they'd glance over at the currently unattended bar and back at the Griffon gave Lightning the shakes. Lightning Dust held much respect for the Griffon race, they held the same community driven values as the Pegasi, but where Pegasi would banish their own if they deemed it necessary, the Griffons were a fiercely loyal race... to their own, other races didn't really factor in much when it came to Griffons and their Prides. However, if a non Griffon were accepted into a Griffon's Pride, they were seen by all Griffons as a being that could be trusted. It was also the highest honor a Griffon could bestow.
Lightning suddenly became all too aware of something pressed against the side of her neck, a tingling electrical current coursing from it against her fur meant only one thing, a magical buildup... Somepony had a spell primed and aimed for a kill shot.
"Don't scream or turn. Trust me, you'll live longer," Lightning could already tell from the hushed voice that it was a mare, which meant it had to be a Unicorn's horn pressed against her neck. "So here you are. The disgraced Wonderbolt, banished from her flock, and without a friend in the world. (Sigh) So sad."
Lightning couldn't believe this. She'd thought the letter was too good to be true, and yet she'd come anyway. Now this possibly crazed mare was in a position to blow her head clean off if she so much as flinched.
"Here at least, to answer my call. Tell me, quietly. Did you come here simply because I promised you bits? Or was it something more that drew you to my web? Little fly." the Unicorn whispered into Lightning's ear, far to close for her liking.
Lightning wasn't sure how to respond. Admittedly the suggestion of paid work had been her primary motivator for even showing up, yet if she had to be honest, there were other aspects to the letter that had peaked her interest.
"I- I came for the bits, b-but I... You said something about being a victim. L-like me." said Lightning, trying to hold it together. This Unicorn clearly wasn't messing around.
"Oh-ho yes, Celestia yes! I knew I'd found a good one." the Unicorn said to herself. "I'll gladly tell you my tale, difficult though it may be. But first, I have a small matter to deal with that I believe you could assist me with."
"L-Look Miss Trixie, I..."
"Do exactly as I say... Look directly in front of you and tell me what you see."
Lightning Dust wanted to turn and knock this mare across the table, but for now she was in no position to fight. Did she call her here to give her a job or to execute her? She sounded so sweet in her letter but in the flesh, she couldn't understand what was going on in this mares head. Lightning Dust knew she couldn't really be here to finish her, after all she knew banished Pegasi were despised, but usually that was limited to other Pegasi, unless... was she a loyalist to Celestia? That was it, that had to be it, Lightning Dust had rarely traveled to ground level and hadn't done anything that would warrant hatred from a Unicorn. Except for the one bucking day when her life had been stolen in a whirlwind of rainbows and broken dreams. Lightning shivered briefly but manged to hold herself together, she refused to tremble in front of this possibly mad Pony.
Eyes forward, Lightning watched as the larger of the Diamond Dogs gripped the handle of the sheath, pulling out a sharp metal blade with a serrated edge.
"There's two Diamond Dogs over there, the big one has a knife, I think the shorter mutt has one too." Lightning replied in a whisper.
"Yes, and do you know what they intend to do with those?" the mare asked. Lightning ever so slightly shook her head, although if she were to hazard a guess, she would assume it had something to do with the Griffon they continuously stared at.
"Do you see that bundle in the Griffon's talons?" Lightning nodded "Well that bundle is actually her newly laid egg. I was here three days ago when that poor lonely hen birthed the little miracle... and now those Diamond Dogs intend to steal it, could be they intend to blackmail the mother into slavery. Or maybe they just want it to eat."
Lightning's jaw dropped. She knew Diamond Dogs were a desperate and cowardly lot, but to steal a newborn... and eat it! The idea alone made her blood boil. And if this Trixie knew this, why wasn't she doing anything?!! Ahead of her, the shorter of the Diamond Dogs shot another glance at the now deserted bar before releasing his knife from the sheath, this one was however appeared more like a common butcher knife from someponies kitchen.
"Well, do something then..." said Lightning. The landlords were nowhere to be seen, and the Diamond Dogs seemed all too pleased to take advantage of this. "And how do you know they want to steal it?"
"Tricks and illusions are my specialty, which is why the mutts can't see or hear us. Reading Ponies or in this case Diamond Dogs, is second nature... but that's for later. For now, I want to know what your going to do about this."
"Wah? Me! What am I supposed to do? You have magic, so use it!" said Lightning
"I could... or we could sit here and watch, its your choice."
Lightning couldn't believe her ears, this Pony was wasn't going to do anything? She'd gladly sit back and watch as these Dogs do Celestia knows what to that Griffon. The smaller Dog slunk out of its seat and kept under the table.
"You have to do something, their gonna attack!" said Lightning urgently, if only this damn Unicorn would drop whatever spell she'd cast. The Dogs wouldn't be stupid enough to attack that Griffon with herself and this Pony here.
"If your going to save her I'd do it now, looks like the big one's in strike position."
Lightning looked back, indeed the larger Dog looked almost spring loaded and ready to pounce.
"Call for help..." said Lightning
"Should take them about four minutes for somepony to get here, if they hear you that is. Should take the Dogs three at the most."
The Griffon must have noticed the glaring silence in the room, her head shot up as though somepony had banged a set of cymbals together.
"Distract them, throw something, do... something!" Lightning Dust demanded, essentially begging at this point.
The Griffon turned, her eyes meeting those of the caramel Diamond Dog, the blade raised up over his head.
"Pretty, Pretty Birdie" he said, a sharp tooth grin stretched across his face.
"Trixie!" Lightning yelled.
"Hurry Hurry!" said the Unicorn.
"Oh Buck!" Lightning leapt over the table, wings flared as she rocketed forward through the air. The large Diamond Dog looked as if he'd seen a ghost, in the half a second before Lightning's back hooves connected with his face. The sheer force, brought on by years of physical training launched the Diamond Dog clear across the room. The knife flying out of its paws.
The Dog's head hit the front wall, a trail of drool left behind as the disgraced beast slid down to the floor.
The Griffon's cry caused Lightning to spin in midair. On top of the Diamond Dogs table stood the shorter of the two mutts, knife in paw. The Griffon staggered backward till her back was against the bar, her wings wrapped around both herself and more importantly, her egg.
From the corner of her eye, Lightning noticed the booth she'd been sitting in was empty.
'Where the buck did Trixie go?' thought Lightning, her eyes never leaving the Dogs. Height wise, standing on its hind legs, she'd say it was only ever so slightly taller than her. The Dog leaned left, Lightning did the same. The Dog leaned right, Lightning did the same. This wasn't good, this Diamond Dog was panicking, he knew the plan had gone belly side up and that made him dangerous. Lightning could tell the bigger Dog was the one giving the orders, probably the Alpha. Which made this one a grunt, a taker of orders... with no orders.
The Diamond Dog's eyes turned to the Griffon. It could smell the egg, it smelled fresh. And a fresh Griffon egg, meant a weak Griffon.
Licking his chops, the Dog faked moving toward Lightning then dashed right headed straight for the Griffon. Lighting flew backward in surprise, surprise instantly turned to fear as the Dog instead make a beeline for the Griffon, dropping its knife for the extra speed. Lightning Dust flew forward, she was fast, extremely so, but flying indoors was incredibly limiting to a Pegasi. The Dog was half way between her and the Griffon, she moved as fast as she could but the Dog was faster, with a wild snarl the Dog pounced at the Griffon, claws flared and teeth ready to ripe and tear as the Dog descended toward the cowering Griffon.
Thinking at speeds that would give even the Arch-Mage herself the shakes. Lightning flared both her wings straight behind her at full length, this was a dangerous move for any Pegasi, unknown to most land based species yet to airborne races like herself and the Griffon, it might just prove to be their salvation.
The Griffon recognized Lightning's moves immediately and curled into a protective ball around her egg. Lightning Dust, with all her strength launched her wings forward, slamming them both into each other. Lightning knew immediately that she'd broken a bone in her wing, but for that moment it wasn't important.
The blast of wind from Lightning Dust struck the Diamond Dog in midair like a missile, instead of landing on the tasty Griffon like he'd hoped, the blast carried the Dog clear over the bar and into a shelf full of wooden tankards, as well as several bottles of cheap alcohol and one vintage wine.
"Behind You!" The voice came from a black cloaked pony sitting at the bar, a silvery mane and tail sticking out from both ends. A glass of pink liquid in her blue hooves... Trixie's hooves.
"Why aren't you helping me-eeeeeeee..." Lightning yelped as she felt two large hairy arms grab her from behind and pull her into a crushing squeeze.
"Fast Pony hurt Pack scout! Fast Pony hurt Alpha Dog! Alpha Dog crush Fast Pony like egg!" barked the big Dog, Lightning's sneak attack hadn't been enough, the big Dog was up and ready for another round. The glass of pink liquid disappeared inside Trixie's black hood, coming out empty. Lightning tried to call for help, but the Alpha Dogs squeeze was forcing the air out of her lungs.
"(Sigh) You forgot to watch your surroundings, not a good sign. You'll have to be better than that for what I have in store." A small black ball levitated out of the black cloak and shot at the floor beneath Lightning like a bullet. Upon impact the ball burst engulfing Lightning and the Alpha in purple smoke.
This surprise took the Alpha off guard, dropping Lightning Dust as he staggered back, coughing and gagging on the fumes. Lightning was used to being winded in midair. She'd performed enough free-fall recoveries to know how to keep going after hitting turbulence. Unfortunately now Lightning had to face a bucking furious Alpha Dog without her wings, her right wing throbbed painfully as she forced them back to her sides.
To a Pegasi, or any winged being from across the realms, the wings are considered an extension of the self. Much like another pair of arms or legs. To not use them in a situation that required your fullest, was essentially like entering a race with one leg tied behind your back. You could use it, yet you have to keep telling yourself you can't, and for Lightning Dust this was incredibly frustrating.
"(Cough) Why Fast Pony get in Packs way? (Hack) Pack need gems! Birdie dig for gems! Pack eat egg! What Fast Ponies Problem!" spluttered the Alpha Dog, slashing wildly at the smoke with his claws.
Lightning Dust was getting tired, she knew she had to bring the Alpha down soon or else the shorter Dog would be back up and ready for more. Thinking back, she tried to recall something she'd read in a survival guide about fending off predators, specifically canines.
"I'd go for the sensitive snout if I were you." Trixie called out from behind. Despite Lightning's feelings she knew the Unicorn was right.
Lightning reared back and charged the flailing Alpha at full gallop, jumping head first, she landed a strong headbutt right on the Alpha's nose. Its reaction was deafening.
The Diamond Dog's bellowed and squealed in pain. Whimpering like a bad pet scolded by its master. With a defeated howl, the Alpha burst out the front doors, nearly taking one off its hinges. Lightning watched in silent victory as the Alpha bounded over the black chariot outside, straight across the road and off into the woods beyond. Its pained cries echoing throughout the foggy, pitch black night.
"Don't worry your safe now,"
Trixie's voice snapped Lightning from her momentary breather. She now remembered the Pony who'd sat back nursing a drink while she fought off two armed Diamond Dogs. Alone.
Turning back, Lightning noticed Trixie had pulled back her hood, revealing the blue Unicorn mare underneath, as well as a tightly bandaged horn. Why that struck Lightning as weird, she didn't know.
Trixie stroked the whimpering Griffon's head, from the top down to the pink tipped feathers at the bottom of her neck. This seemed to calm the hen as she held her egg close.
"T-thank you Miss Trixie, if it weren't for you and your Pride-mate, they might have taken me and my little one, or worse." said the Griffon.
"Hush now, you head upstairs and rest, its not good for you or your egg. I'll be in the room right next door if you need anything." said Trixie, a gentle smile forming across her muzzle.
"But w-what if?"
"And don't worry about anymore potential egg thieves. A wounded Alpha is as good as dead to all other Diamond Dogs. It's Pack should separate soon and after that, they will all be easy pickings for larger predators."
"(Sigh) Y-yes, alright... Rest sounds about right... goodnight Miss Trixie, Miss Pegasus. I will thank you properly in the morning."
Lightning Dust watched as the Griffon shakily made her way over to the stairs, behind her the Landlord Minotaur from before came through the doors closest the bar. His nostrils flared as he took in the damages to his inn, before finally, his sights were set squarely on Lightning.
"Pony! What the buck did you do to my INN! I leave for a few minutes to see my children and you bucking trash the place?!" To say the Minotaur was furious, was an understatement. He look ready to nail Lightning to the wall.
Fortunately for Lightning, Trixie climbed up onto the bar, reaching eye level with the Minotaur.
"I will tell you exactly what my associate did to your inn, Sir! This Pony single hoofedly saved your business and the lives of the Griffon mother and her egg, from that filthy Diamond Dog Pack. If it weren't for her, your livelihood would have been completely ransacked and you'd have had an entire Pride of angry Griffons in here demanding your head on a plate! So personally, I believe some thanks are in order... don't you?" said Trixie, surprisingly calm and collected after everything Lightning had seem of her thus far.
The Minotaur bit his lip as Trixie talked. Lightning didn't know what could sent a wall of muscle like him into a panic, unfortunately for both the landlord and her, this reason was Trixie.
"Oh geez... My apologies Miss Trixie, to you and your friend. Thank you for safeguarding my place of business. May Luna bless and keep you both." said the Minotaur. Lightning was confused, this Minotaur had gone from ten to two in terms of rage in a matter of seconds. Who the buck was this Trixie?
"And also you good sir. Now if you would be so kind as to look over the counter. I believe you will find one of the culprits who smashed up your delightful inn." said Trixie, as the short Diamond Dog shakily picked itself up, using a broken shelf for support.
The Minotaur swiftly moved to the area behind the bar. The Dog didn't know what hit it, until it found itself held against the wall by the scruff of his neck and the big burly fist of the landlord.
"So, you think you can just come into my inn, where my family sleeps. Break my things, harass my loyal customers and use my business as your own personal hunting grounds?! Ohhh you miserable mutt, when I'm done with you, Ripley's gonna eat well tonight!"
'Who's Ripley?' Lightning thought to herself.
At the mere mention of that name, the Diamond Dog flew into a frenzy, clawing and scratching at the fist that held it in place, yet it only succeeded in making the Minotaur madder. Right when it appeared the Minotaur was about to start wailing on the Dog, Trixie raised her hoof.
"Good Sir. Before you feed Ripley his midnight snack, I wish to speak with this... mongrel. Lightning come here, you need to hear this." said Trixie.
Lightning was not in the mood to deal with whatever was coming next. But after the way the Minotaur reacted to Trixie, Lightning could assume it would be in her best interests to listen. Begrudgingly she made her way over to Trixie, her broken wing bone, throbbing painfully at her side.
"Now, Tell Trixie why your Pack attacked the Griffon! Speak..." said Trixie. Lightning did a double take, did Trixie just talk in the third person?
The Dog's breathing was labored, it probably broke something important when it landed. At least more important then the once priceless, now broken bottle of vintage wine.
"(Wheeze) Rover Pack need gems. Last gem finder stop moving. Diamond Dogs no find gems alone. (Cough) Last Alpha take Pony for gem finding, but Pony too loud. Pack spend too long in tunnels. So deep, sooo quiet. Diamond Dogs ears burst. Loud Pony hurt Pack. Loud Pony's friends take all Rover Pack's gems. (Wheeze) Loud Pony promise, come back, help Pack find gems. But Loud Pony lied. Loud Pony not come back. Rover Pack lose all gems in hunting grounds to Loud Pony. We desperate. New Alpha say we take weak birdie. Make birdie dig in new tunnel. We eat egg if birdie run."
Lightning Dust was floored. These Dogs weren't just thugs, they were self proclaimed slavers, to the point where they were prepared to commit infanticide. These mutts were no better than the Cyclops slavers of the East. Lightning truly hated these beasts... and yet, She still found this hard to look at. The animal was a brute, and she had no intention for defending him. But she wasn't heartless. This mutt was hurt pretty bad, and watching it struggle in the Minotaurs grip drew some sympathy from her, however small.
"This Loud Pony... what was her name?!"  asked Trixie, her eyes wild, meeting the Dogs gaze head on.
"W-wha? (Yelp)" Trixie jabbed a hoof into the Dogs wounded side.
"Trixie does not like to repeat herself! What. Was. the Loud. Ponies. Name!" Trixie shouted. The Diamond Dog convulsed and struggled in agony, but Trixie refused to remove her hoof.
"R-Rarity... Loud Pony Rarity... Liar, Gem thief. Whiner!"
"And what of her friends? Who was there? Hurry now..." Lightning had no idea what was going on with this mare. One minute she had a spell pointed at her head, then she was calm, now she'd gone bucking psycho! Who was this mare?!
"Purple Horn Pony. T-tiny Dragon pup. Quiet yellow flier. (Cough) Laughing pink Pony. A-apple hat Pony and angry Rainbow Flash."
Angry rainbow flash? Lighting had only ever seen one rainbow colored Pony in her lifetime.
"Rainbow Dash?!" said Lightning, not realizing she was speaking aloud.
"Y-yes, Rainbow flier and Loud Pony. Take gems. L-leave Rover Pack nothing."
Trixie grinned and hopped down from the bar counter. Waving a hoof at the landlord, the Minotaur smirked, gripping the back of struggling Dog's neck he dragged the mutt along the floor, and out the now broken front doors, disappearing around the corner. The Diamond Dog's whimpers and howls growing quieter and quieter.
Lightning turned back to Trixie dumbfounded. Trixie chuckled under her breath, absentmindedly kicking a large shard of glass across the floor.
"Well, now that that unpleasantness is out of the way, I believe proper introductions are in order. If you'll kindly follow me to your room..."
"What?! After this... You must be bucking insane if you think I'm gonna..." Before Lightning Dust could finish, Trixie tossed another smoke pellet to the floor.
xxx
Staggering forward Lightning made to blow the smoke away, only to be remained, painfully, of her broken wing bone. A flash of green shone through the purple smoke, causing the vapor to shimmer and fade. Blinking repeatedly, Lightning's eyes centered on a lit candle placed delicately on the windowsill, bathing the modestly size bedroom she'd found herself in in a warm orange glow.
The room seemed average enough, window opposite the door. Bed to the left, bathroom door to the right. Although aside from these few basic features, the room seemed rather bare. Although given the inn's clientele, or at least those that Lightning had met, she assumed folks didn't make a habit of staying here more than a few days at the most.
The bathroom door swung open. Trixie's coughing and shivering form fell through to the floor. Shakily, the mare forced herself to her hooves, breathing steadily in and out as she lent against the doorway. Lightning briefly considered patting the mare on the back. But given the circumstances, she didn't think she could trust herself not to bash the distracted unicorn across the head and run. Looking up at a confused Lightning Dust, a weak smile grew on Trixie's face.
"He-he, teleportation, always a little off to the left. I can guess you have have allot of questions right now, Not that I blame you. After a job interview like that, I imagine anypony would." said Trixie, uneasily walking over to the bed and sitting on the floor against it. Lightning Dust took a deep breath in and exhaled, she'd been beaten, bruised, broken a bone and threatened with magic. If Trixie didn't answer her questions, there would be Tartarus to pay.
"Good, because you owe me big time! For starters, why the buck did you..."
Trixie held up a hoof, stopping Lightning in her tracks.
"Before you continue. You should take this for your wing." said Trixie, pulling out a vile of gold colored liquid with a cork over the top. Gently she rolled in over to Lightning across the hardwood floor. Lightning held the vile in her hoof, pulling out the cork with her teeth she knew the scent immediately.
"Luna's Kiss? Where did you get this? The plants for this potion exist in the southern most jungles... Nopony ever travels down there." Lightning Dust was amazed. 'Luna's Kiss', named after the Princess who'd discovered the concoction, was considered by most Ponies to be a miracle cure. One mouthful, such as the one held in Lightning's hooves, was said to cure almost any physical ailment. She had only sampled it once before, it had been given to her by her sister in-law after she'd fractured one of her fore-hooves the day before her Wonderbolt Academy entrance exam.
All the ingredients were located in the deep south, a rough terrain full to the brim with sweltering jungles, massive swamps and a great many uncharted deserts and canyons. So gathering all the necessary plants was no easy task. Yet this mare had one that she was just giving away? There had to be a catch.
"You're just gonna give this to me?" asked Lightning Dust, sitting on her flank opposite Trixie. The unicorn just smiled and nodded.
"And after everything that happened... downstairs I think? You expect me to just drink this, and trust that you didn't do anything to it?"
Trixie nodded again.
"If you didn't trust me in some way, then you are a fool to even bother coming here in the first place. I mean lets be honest, if I had wanted you dead, I'd have done it by now. I could have let that Diamond Dog squeeze you into jelly. Or let the landlord feed you to his pet monster out back. But I didn't!" said Trixie, pulling out a vile of orange liquid from her cloak and downing the contents in one gulp. "(Sigh) Bitter-Root syrup, horrible for the taste buds, but works wonders for headaches."
Lightning rubbed her temples in irritation. It was true, at anyone point that night, Trixie could have finished her off or left her for dead, and yet she didn't. Besides it wasn't like she had much to lose. Knocking back the vile, she downed the sweet liquid as fast as she could. The taste was heavenly, like drinking actual moon beams, no wonder it was called Luna's Kiss.
Trixie smiled, and from Lightning's point of view, it seemed genuine.
"Okay, now that that's out of the way... ask whatever you please." said Trixie. Lightning had been ready to tear Trixie a new one, but the sweet taste of the 'Luna's Kiss' potion had certainly lifted her spirits. If the potion work correctly, her wing should be repaired by morning. While a great many questions filled her mind, one stuck out slightly more than the others.
"Where did you get this potion?" Lightning asked.
"Lets just say that for the right price, you can get anything from anypony... plus a few family connections help. I've carried it for years and never needed it, seemed a shame to waste it." said Trixie. Honestly it didn't really answer Lightning's question, but then again, compared to the others she had in mind, she didn't really care.
"Uhhh, alright. So... When we were downstairs, why didn't you help that Griffon? Why did you leave me to do it? And for that matter, why'd you threaten me in the first place?!" said Lightning, the throbbing in her wing dying down. Trixie rubbed her temples with her hooves, her eyes returning to meet Lightning's.
"(Sigh) Alright, first things first. I wouldn't have let any harm come to Sevichi or her egg. Despite what you may think after tonight, I am not a monster. And as for why I let you get involved, that was your job interview... I'd spied on a number of the Dog packs meetings in the woods outside, I'd heard of their plan to attack tonight and, knowing what I know about you and your impulsiveness, I sent the letter so you'd arrive precisely on the day when the attack was scheduled." Lightning stifled a laugh, although clearly Trixie wasn't amused.
"Oh please! You? Your not a monster?! Are you bucking kidding me?!! You put a newborn and a mother in danger, and all for some stupid test!" Lightning yelled.
"I had the situation well in hoof! I was more than prepared to teleport them both out of harms way if you hadn't reacted in time." Said Trixie, so matter-of-factly. As though it should have been obvious to her.
"W-well that's not good enough. You can't just play with Ponies... or Griffon's lives like that. What if something had gone wrong? What if..." Trixie's self assured attitude was beginning to get to Lightning, already she could feel her anger returning. It seem like Trixie really didn't understand why Lightning was so worked up over this.
"What if this? What if that? Let me tell you something Lightning Dust. What if's do not matter! That fact is, nothing went wrong, the Griffon and her egg are safe and the Diamond Dog Pack will have scattered by now. So remind me... exactly what was the problem again?" asked Trixie. At this point, Lightning couldn't decide whether not this mare was being condescending.
"The problem?! The problem is that you can't just play with Ponies lives like that, what if somepony had gotten hurt, or worse. This is not a game."
Trixie's smile only widened.
"Concerned about hurting somepony? Being a little hypocritical aren't we Miss Lightning 'Tornado' Dust?"
Lightning felt as though she'd been hit right in the stomach. That comment shut her up quick, worse still she'd walked right into it.
"... and as for the part about this 'Not' being a game. Trust me Lightning Dust... In Equestria, we are all part of a much larger game. Everyday the higher ups lord over the common Pony and, as they put it, 'lesser races' as though we're nothing. They are the Ponies with the most power, the most friends in high places, the most gold-bits or simply the Ponies that should happen to stumble upon an assortment of ancient magical rocks." Trixie was now standing, apparently having regained her strength. Lightning wasn't sure when the Unicorn had lost it, but then again, she wasn't a Unicorn herself and didn't really understand teleportation magic or its after effects.
"They play with our lives like we're nothing. They call us Villains. They brand us as monsters before they even get a chance to know us. They ruin lives with nothing more than a few harsh words, and a hoof full of hastily written letters... And what do they get when the proverbial dust has settled and the storm of hate has passed?!" asked Trixie, pacing around Lightning Dust. Lightning Dust knew better than to answer.
"They gain the title of Princess and all that comes with it! They are rewarded with the rank of Wonderbolt! They're given Equestria-wide recognition and praise, all of their achievements known realms over; while all of their less than noble acts are either brushed aside or simply ignored!" Trixie was seething. It was obvious to whom she was referring. Much like Lightning, Trixie was clearly no fan of the Elements or the recently titled, 'Princess of Friendship'. Looking up, Lightning's eyes met Trixie once again. Somehow, instead of the white hot searing fury that Lightning had been expecting, she was instead met with a look of sympathy, a look of understanding, a look she'd seem in her mirror oh-so many times.
"W-what happened to you?" asked Lightning gently. Trixie calmly breathed in and out a few times before she spoke.
"I come from a very well to-do Guild in Canterlot. Ever since I was a small filly, it had been my dream to finally leave my Guild and venture out into the world. I have always loved illusion based magic and spells, the trickery, the act of making the impossible seem possible for even the smallest foal. Seeing the look of wonder and awe in the eyes of my audience, oh yes, I love everything about it." said Trixie. She looked as though she were recounting a cherished memory to a dear friend. Lightning had to admit, Trixie did make the idea of attending a magic show sound fun. "I even made up a little title for myself. 'The Great and Powerful Trixie', I'd talk in the third person and, eventually, she took on a life of her own as my alter-ego. Somepony without limits, who's knows no fear and makes even the most cynical Pony believe. Buck, sometimes I fall into my Trixie persona without even thinking about it."
"So when my time came. I packed my bags and invested in a traveling stage coach, complete with real working stage. My parents and siblings of course were against me leaving. They warned me of the harsh nature of Ponies outside of Canterlot's walls, but like a fool I didn't listen. Now don't get me wrong; for a while everything was going great, for two years I traveled from place to place, wherever the road might take me. I met many wonderful and diverse species and I've so many incredible stories to tell. But of course, after a while, the yearning for ones Guild, or in your case Flock, becomes too much, and so after many sold-out shows in 'Applewood', I steered my traveling stage in the direction of Canterlot. But unfortunately on the way, the wheel of my coach broke off and I had to stop for a few days in a little town called 'Ponyville'. It was there, that everything went horribly wrong."  Lightning Dust didn't like how much darker Trixie's voice and demeanor became at the mention of the town.
"I put on a free to attend show in the center of town. Mainly it was a chance to practice my skills, for the performance I had planned for Canterlot in the coming days. I performed a few simple tricks to get the crowd warmed up, a levitation here, a flowers apparition there, and the crowd was eating it up. Or at least they were. I notice right away that something was off with the audience, several Ponies in the crowd wore scowls and had wormed their way up front. Naturally as an entertainer, I was used to the occasional heckler or nonbeliever. Yet these Ponies were starting to get under my skin." From what little Lightning knew about Unicorn magic, illusion magic was down there with healing magic as one of the more under appreciated forms of the arcane arts. Unappreciated to the point where some Unicorns refused to acknowledge it as real magic, likening it to the act of pretending to bend spoons by thinking or distracting a cat with a noise maker.
"The Ponies, who I'd later discover were the Elements of Harmony, called me fake, a show off, a braggart, boastful... They actually called me 'Boastful'. Me! A Stage Magician. A Bucking Entertainer! A Bucking Showmare" Trixie had to stop for a moment and collect herself, once again breathing slow and steady. Lightning didn't like the way this story was going, it was starting to hit a little too close to home.
"Wait? Rainbow Dash? The self proclaimed, 'All Around Greatest Pony Ever', called you boastful?" said Lightning. If there was one thing she knew about Rainbow from her time at the Academy, it was that Rainbow Dash was the single most, braggy, showoff-ish, standoff-ish and interrupting-ist Pony she'd ever met.
"I know right! And what was I supposed to do? Tell them to relax? That it was all just an act? Let me tell you, admitting to hecklers at a crowded show that it is all an act... for any entertainer, is career suicide. My reputation would have been ruined, my respect as a show mare would have been destroyed. So, in not one of my prouder moments, I challenged the hecklers to best me in whatever they please. They each bum rushed the stage just to challenge me. Naturally I bested the three that made the most insults. That rude country thug Applejack, the Loud mouth whiner Rarity and of course the ever in-your-face Rainbow Trash. In my haste to dispel the hecklers however, I told the tale of me slaying an Ursa-Major."
Lightning face-hoofed, what Pony would believe a story like that?.
"It was going to be spectacular. It was going to my grand finale, I had planned to make what I thought at the time was an Ursa-Major appear nearby and I would put on a show fighting it off. The Griffon's of Shrapnel Point loved it when they saw it. So how was I to know these Ponies would take the story to heart. (Sigh) Needless to say, after laughing off the hecklers, which the rest of the town Ponies did as well by the way, I didn't have the drive to finish the performance. So I shot off a few fireworks and moved by still broken stage out of the town square."
All a part of the act. Now that did make a lot more sense. But what did Trixie mean when she said "What I thought was an Ursa-Major"?.
"Needless to say, the hecklers didn't bother me again, although these two annoying fan-ponies wouldn't stop bothering me. But after the first day was over, my wheel was fixed and I was ready to hit the road again. Little did I realize that my trip to Canterlot, would actually take me another three years, and counting..."
"Oh Celestia! What happened? I know it involves Princess Sparkle-Butt and Rainbow Crash so tell me... What happened?!" said Lightning Dust leaping to her hooves. While it sounded more impatient than anything, in reality Lightning was ridiculously anxious. This whole story was coming back to her, her father had told her about it from one of his newspapers. Being a Celestia Loyalist, her father made sure to keep up to date will all news concerning both the Princess and those closest to her. Although the version Trixie told was heavily altered from what her father had read.
"The two fan-Ponies ran into the Everfree Forest... and lured an Ursa-Minor into town, just so they could watch me defeat it." Trixie said as she slumped to the ground. For Lightning, it was like looking at herself, and yet she felt as though she was actually seeing Trixie... the real Trixie for the first time.
"I stood up to the beast as best I could, but what good are tricks and illusions against a mindless beast. Illusion magic is all about misdirection and glamour, best used for self-defense. There aren't a great many offensive illusion spells, and since everyponies magic is different in some form or another, it wasn't like I could miraculously perform a destructive fire spell or something of the like. But then again... I'm not the Element of Magic!"
Now the story was coming full circle, Lightning knew the next part well enough. The Arch-Mage fought off the Ursa-Minor and saved the town, at least that is what she'd heard. A giant star bear attacking a small town, wasn't something that would go unnoticed by the press.
"The former Arch-Mage Twilight bucking Sparkle, lulled the beast to sleep and brought it back to the Everfree... and who did they blame for the Ursa attack? Me! Not the rotten children that lured the beast into town... Me! That rampaging monster destroyed my home and all my things, then just to add insult to injury, I was chased out of town by a mob of miserable towns Ponies!" said Trixie, her mane now obscuring her face. Lightning held her own head in her hooves, she understood now. This Ponies story matched hers, eerily so.
"All the news reports made me out to be a monster. They blamed me, saying it was I who lured the Ursa into town. That I was so self absorbed that I would risk lives for the sake of my own ego, or at least that was what the towns ponies had told the press. I was ruined! My career was as good as dead. I couldn't perform... everywhere I went, I was laughed at, chased, my new coach was repeatedly vandalized, I was repeatedly harassed by the town guards and some Ponies went so far as to threaten me if I didn't leave. I was a joke and an outcast, eventually I had to settle for grunt work on a rock farm alongside some farmpony named 'Maud'." Lightning honestly wanted to rip herself in two. On the one hoof she was still weary of this mare, she clearly had allot going on psychologically, yet on the other hoof she wanted desperately to rush over and embrace the poor Unicorn. Their stories echoed one another so closely they were interchangeable, the only difference being some circumstances and the victims involved, namely Trixie and herself.
"I learned fast that day as I ran for my life from Ponyville, tears burning in my eyes, just how cruel the world could truly be... when the wrong Ponies had power. I couldn't return home, I couldn't face my Guild, not until I'd redeemed my name. The Arch-Mage and future Princess of Friendship ruined my life! The same way she and her friends would eventually ruin yours. I knew the day I read your story in the newspaper, that you and I were kindred spirits. For a long time I actually blamed myself for what happened. But that all changed when I read about you... and I realised, it was all their fault. Because they'd done it again to somepony else! And believe me Lightning Dust, after some digging, I discovered that we aren't the only ones who've been affected by the Elements. You, Myself and the Diamond Dogs were just the tip of the iceberg."
"Eventually I went back to that town, now with the Alicorn Amulet in hoof, too..." Trixie stopped mid sentence, her hoof reaching up and rubbing along her bandaged horn. Lightning could just make out a dim green glow coming from behind the bandages.
"Y-yeah... Go on... The Alicorn Amulet..." said Lightning. Trixie either didn't hear her or didn't care as she stared off into space, her hoof still rubbing along the length of her horn.
"Trixie... Trixie... Snap out of it!" Shouted Lightning, slamming her hooves to the floor. This seemed to work as Trixie turned back toward Lightning.
"Hmmm, wha? I-I'm sorry, what was I saying?" said Trixie in a disturbingly calm manner. Lightning didn't know whether to be confused or scared. Maybe this mare really was mad, or maybe three years of hatred had made her that way, but who could tell.
"Where did you go just now? You were talking about something called the Alicorn Amulet, then you just stared into nothing... Are you alright?" asked Lightning Dust. Trixie looked genuinely shocked, like a patient in hospital that just spotted her doctor panicking.
"Oh right, that... yes... Listen, I'll tell you in the morning... I need... I need to sleep for a while. I will answer any other questions you may have tomorrow as well as an advance on your first payment... as an apology for the trickery earlier. For now... I need to rest. Goodnight Miss Lightning Dust. May Luna bless you with pleasant dreams." said Trixie. Giving Lightning Dust a peck on the cheek as she hastily left out the door.
Lightning was quick to rush over and lock the door behind the mare. It wasn't the fact that Trixie had kissed her that bothered her, although that was a factor. It was more that Trixie didn't even seem to realize that she'd done it. It was as if, after mentioning this, 'Alicorn Amulet', whatever that was, Trixie had just withdrawn into herself, leaving a cold lifeless shell behind.
This was all too much for Lightning right now. Inside, a nagging voice told her to just pack up and leave, that she would be safer and better off in the long run... But she couldn't. For the first time after months of loneliness, she finally had somepony who understood and sympathized with her.
'This mare might be bucking insane... But I can't say her story doesn't sound familiar. I guess hearing her out over breakfast couldn't hurt... and that bed does look allot more comfortable than my sleeping bag.' thought Lightning.
Sighing internally, Lightning trotted forward and blew out the candle, leaving the moon as her sole source of light. Lightning hopped under the covers of the bed, her back to the wall. She was right, the bed was comfy. Turning her gaze to the locked door as she began to drift off, it dawned on her that the possibly crazed mare could teleport and therefore the lock was pretty useless... but simply having it there helped and as Lightning Dust's eyes closed, she wondered.
'Where did I leave my cloak?'
xxx
Outside the front of the Black Chariot inn, a yellow and orange Pegasus in full Wonderbolt uniform landed. The mare yawned as she stared up at the Black Chariot sign.
'(Yawn) This looks like a good place to crash for tonight. I'll hit town tomorrow after some chow.' the mare thought, as she trotted towards the entrance.
"Look out Ponyville, Spitfire has arrived."
xxx

//-------------------------------------------------------//
                   Wheels Within Wheels                    
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Wheels Within Wheels
(Two Days Ago)
Canterlot Castle.
Second only to Cloudsdale in terms of height, it is the highest place any non-winged being could reach without the aid of either a balloon or advanced levitation magic.
Designed by both Celestia herself and the Giraffe race of 'Zebrica', the castle in its grand entirety was designed to give both a sense of awe and wonder as well as strength and power. Whether the latter was intentional by Princess Celestia or simply an aesthetic choice by the architects, the Princess's home instilled insignificance in all who gazed upon its marble walls, as if the castle itself stood for how powerful the Princess had truly become in comparison to the minuscule individuals that would enter and leave each day.
Now this wasn't to say the Princess intended her home and place of work to be this way, most likely it was due to the tall stature of the Giraffe designers, yet when one takes into account that it was Princess Celestia herself who requested the largely Zebrican workforce from 'Hoofzambique', her true intentions are once again drawn into question.
Being a Pony within Celestia's less than humble abode was, daunting, if nothing else. All the walls and windows, every hallway, every door, it all seemed so unnecessarily ostentatious.
'Do the Princesses really need this much space?' thought Spitfire, as she made her way across the grand marble hall toward Princess Celestia's throne. Sure the Princesses were taller than most other Ponies, but they didn't exactly require the amount of space this castle seemed to have in abundance. Some design choices did make sense, such as the arched stain-glass windows to let in more light. Overall though, the whole castle was simply imposing, as if to say 'I had it built this big because I could!'.
Design wise, the throne room didn't make much sense either, the Wonderbolt Commander could understand the need for the extra cushions on the throne, considering that was where the Princesses conducted most of their business, but was there really a need for the added water features? The hoof-woven silk tapestries? The Camel made rug from 'Camelu'? Either these were some very generous gifts, or Princess Celestia just loves to flaunt her wealth.
Then again, Spitfire had never been one for interior design. Being the only Pegasi in a Herd of Earth Ponies, Spitfire didn't really care for the glitz and glamour that Canterlot spews from every nook and cranny; rather she enjoyed things kept simple, only throwing on what she called her 'Canterlot Face' when she was forced to attend a charity function or the gala and of course, visiting the boss Pony herself.
The sound of shouting caught Spitfire's attention. Two well dressed Ponies, a Green Earth Pony and a Crimson Pegasus threw insults each others way, much to the Princess's apparent chagrin.
Atop her flawless marble throne sat Princess Celestia with two white Pegasi guardponies stood at her side as well as a blue Unicorn at the bottom of the throne steps. The Solar Princess watched on as the two Nobel Ponies argued, the guardponies however didn't seem too concerned, if anything they appeared to be enjoying the show. Spitfire trotted over to a nearby support beam to wait, far-be it from her to interrupt politics at work.
"... Greenfield, you're proposition would cause a sizable backlash to businesses and travel across all of Canterlot!" said the Pegasus.
"Redwing, the mages at Canterlot University have been studying this phenomena since last winter! We have sound evidence to prove..." The Earth Pony began.
"D-D-Don't quote your self-proclaimed facts to us. The one true fact in all this is that there is no definitive connection between magic and the natural environment!" The Pegasus countered.
"No Connection?! I don't know if you've looked at the Canterlot Gardens these last few months..."
"Ah yes, flowers and trees. A popular topic of conversation amongst your lot..."
"And just what does that mean!"
"Gentlecolts Please!" said Princess Celestia, "I will not have this disagreement dissolve into petty insults. Now tell me once more, nice and clearly, what exactly is the issue here?"
The two Nobel Ponies fell silent; Princess Celestia was to many across Equestria, especially Canterlot, like a mother. Her opinion, be it good or bad was always held in the highest regard.
"W-well your highness, Minister Greenfield here and his Herd believe in the absurd notion that our using magic to 'Wrap-Up' winter in Canterlot is having a negative effect on Canterlot's environment. Naturally these ideas of his are utterly unfounded and..." The Pegasus began.
"They are not unfounded! Princess please, my Herd and I, as well as the mages in my employee at the University, have found evidence of magical decay in the water supply! Old magic, Princess! It explains why the pH in the soil has been off for the past year, possibly longer. Our recent tests with the water support our theory." the Earth Pony replied.
"Oh yes your theories. That magic used by both the Unicorns and Pegasi to clear away winter quickly in and around Canterlot, has somehow polluted the environment. Tell me Mr Greenfield, if this 'crisis' as you call it, the source of which is supposedly our magic. Then why is it that this is only coming to your attention now. Both my Flock and the weather Ponies of Canterlot have used magic to 'Wrap-Up' winter for years, yet only now is it a problem? I find that hard to stomach!"
"Minister Redwing, our studies of the local flora indicate a slow but steady build up of magical residue. In simple Ponies terms, it is the static left over after a lightning strike. We believe this build up has only now reached a level in which its effects are at last becoming noticeable." said Greenfield
"But Minister Greenfield, magical decay is an event which only becomes even remotely harmful after centuries of build up, and even then most natural magics, such as the forces you and I wield every day, dissipate naturally before a build up can occur." Princess Celestia interjected.
"Precisely your grace. I mean really, Magical decay! In other words, Necromancy! Do you know why magic decay only occurs in crypts, Minister Greenfield?" asked Redwing, a smug grin plastered across his face.
"(Sigh) Because of the deceased's natural magics leaving their persons and joining that of the others within the crypt."
"Then how is there an 'alleged' build up, because of a 'yearly event'?" said Redwing
"From what we've been able to deduce, something may have accelerated the process. I believe it would be wise to manually clear away the winter weather by hoof and monitor its effects upon the water and soil... Admittedly this acceleration is purely speculation at this time, however a full investigation should yield..."
"There you have it Princess. Baseless conjecture from the Earth Pony traditionalists, most likely this is another attempt to incorporate more of their unsophisticated views into Canterlot society. Like at the Gala two years ago, when he gave some Earth Pony the go ahead for a food stand."
"Minister Redwing, that is enough. Your Flock may hold much sway among the citizens of Canterlot, and I am grateful to you and your heritage. But it is I who passes judgement on disputes such as this, and I will not condone intolerance or bigotry, especially not when it is right in front of me." said Princess Celestia, wings flared as she rose to her hooves.
"This entire dispute is a waste of both our valuable time. If Minister Greenfield here should get his way, it would be a tremendous expenditure for both Canterlot and the Court. What he suggests is a study taking place for the foreseeable future, the cost of which would come from both the annual budget and the tax payers. If word of this were to get out, they'd be protesting in the streets, or worse!" said Redwing, his wings also flared.
"Princess, we're talking about the safety of everypony in Canterlot!" shouted Greenfield.
"We'd be risking public opinion and millions of tax-payers bits for an investigation into a theory with no real backing, scientific or otherwise." Redwing retaliated.
"Silence! Both of you! Minister Redwing, I appreciate your concern for the budget and our taxes, however all expenditure and finances fall to the Blueblood Guild. Your Flock is responsible for weather management and our relations with Cloudsdale and the Pegasi community. That is all." said Princess Celestia, Redwing made to respond, but Celestia cut him off.
"And Minister Greenfield, while I commend you for your dedication to the environment and the Ponies of Canterlot. I am afraid, without sufficient evidence, the risk this potential backlash poses is far too great. Bring me proof of this acceleration of magical decay, hard evidence that supports your findings and I will be more than happy to give your Herd the go ahead."
Minister Greenfield looked downtrodden, Minister Redwing on the other hoof was outraged.
"Princess, you're actually considering this?! This has to be the most ludicrous waste of resources that has ever been brought before the crown. Minister Greenfield, I will be informing the Blueblood Guild of this immediately, don't be surprised if they pay you a visit!" said Redwing as he turned and headed for the main doors.
"(Sigh) As per usual, the lofty ideals of the Pegasi outweigh the hard work of the common Earth Pony. Thank you for your time Princess." Greenfield bowed to the Princess before headed out the main doors as well.
The Princess of Equestria sighed as she watched the Nobel Ponies leave. Her expression soon changed to a smile though as Spitfire approached. Spitfire shared the opinion of most every other Pony that has ever met the Sun Princess, a smile from her was like a smile from a mother, so warm and inviting it always left anypony in a good mood.
"Commander Spitfire, I am pleased you could arrive on such short notice," Celestia waved away the two guardponies that stood either side of her, both shot a confused look at one another before blowing and trotting out the entrance nearest the throne. "We have much to discuss, my dear friend. Sunny, would you kindly brew a pot of tea for myself and my guest, with honey and lemon if you please. I will be entertaining in my study." The blue Unicorn stallion, whom Spitfire assumed was a butler judging by his clothes, bowed before trotting past Spitfire in the direction the guardponies had taken. A round yellow sun with a blue crescent moon in the middle adorned his flank. Spitfire watched as he left, strange cutie marks had always peaked her interest, they always belonged to Ponies with the most interesting stories to tell.
Instinctively Spitfire remembered who had addressed her and sank to the floor in a respectful bow. Whilst the Princess had a motherly feel about her, there was always this underlying sense of raw, barely concealed power lying just beneath the surface. Most everypony believed that Princess Celestia would never intentionally abuse her power, or turn it upon one of her subjects. But when somepony has the ability to move the sun itself, every day, it was difficult not to seem at least a little intimidating.
"Princess, I left the academy as soon as I received your summons, you said in your letter you..."
"Had need of your skills in regards to an important task, yes. But first..." said Celestia, waving her horn in the air a golden aura surrounded the pair, around them both the scenery changed from the throne room to that of Celestia's personal quarters. Not even remotely dazed, the Princess took a seat on one of the large lime green cushions that had been set near her fireplace.
"My apologies, I had to be sure nopony could eavesdrop on us, especially with the state of the company I keep these days, you understand." said Celestia, motioning for Spitfire to take a seat.
Settling herself, Spitfire was reminded of the many times in which she'd summoned trainees to her office, looking up at the authoritarian in front of her, she wondered to herself if this this was how the academy recruits had felt.
"Permission to speak ma'am?" said Spitfire, smoothing back her mane.
"Proceed."
"Well... What exactly do you mean by, 'the company I keep'?"
The Princess sighed, staring off into her lit fire place.
"Tell me Commander, what do you know of Equestrian politics?" asked Celestia. Spitfire rubbed behind her ear with her hoof, it always irked her when a question was answered with another question, something the Sun Princess did All. The. Time. Sure the Princess had her secrets, she'd ruled over the land for centuries, it was only natural. But as Spitfire's years in the royal service had taught her, the Princess always had the big picture in mind, always a few steps ahead in whatever long game she had planned. Heck, secrecy probably came with the job.
Then again, who was Spitfire to judge. Whatever duty the Princess performed, in whatever plans she more than likely had locked away in her head, they'd kept Equestria safe since before the Tree of Harmony had first been discovered.
"Well you're highness. I know you and your sister move the sun and moon... obviously. And that you govern all the lands within Equestria's borders. While Princess Cadence rules over The Crystal Empire and The Frozen North and Princess Twilight commands the Elements of Harmony, yourself and Princess Luna have final say over the laws, land agreements and decrees across Equestria. Pretty much, you and the other Princesses make the rules, but Princesses Twilight and Cadence answer to you... right?"
"Indeed. However, while I and my sister may rule Equestria in its entirety. It leaves us very little time to handle the day to day struggles of Canterlot. Because of this, around two hundred years after my sisters banishment, when the construction of Canterlot was nearing completion, I offered the six families who aided my project with overseeing both Canterlot and its relations with other Equestrian settlements whilst I was preoccupied with other matters." said Celestia
"Six families? You mean the Parliment of Canterlot?"
"I do. They are the direct discendents of the Ponies I gave the offer to, so many years ago. Originally they were... The Blueblood Guild, an intelligent Unicorn family with unparalleled Accounting skills and buisness acumen. The Redwing Flock, a pure blood Pegasi family with a lineage that can be traced as far back as the original founders of Cloudsdale. The Greenfield Herd, a widespread Earth Pony family with a vast array of resources and hoof-power to match. The Cadenza Flock, a traveling Pegasi family that preached love and kindness wherever their travels took them. The Lulamoon Guild, great inventors and mages actually responsible for the design and construction of the original Canterlot express and rail line. The finally there... was, The Shimmer Guild. However, after the disappearance of their daughter... (Sigh) one of my former students, the family vanished without a trace, no pony has heard from them since. Hence why the 'Sparkle' Guild has since taken their place. Together they are my royal council, and I dare say Equestria would not what it is today without them."
"So they run Canterlot, whilest you handle the bigger problems, ones that affect all of Equestria." Said Spitfire.
"Correct. However, my relationship with the council families has grown steadily worse over time. Lately the council leaders have grown bold in their actions across Canterlot and beyond. It has reached a point where in they no longer seek my approval of their plans, rather they merely use me and my sister as tie breakers in their disputes. And it is for this reason, that I have summoned you here this day." said Celestia, looking down.
"But, your Princess Celestia. You've ruled over Equestria for longer then all those stuff shirts and their fore fathers combined. Surely they can't actually do anything on a large scale without your say so."
"Most anypony would be inclined to agree with you. Unfortunately word about town, from both common Ponies as well as hushed words amongst the guards continue to cement my fears. If these rumours are to be believed, the council no longer view me as the rightful ruler of Canterlot."
Spitfire's mind suddenly flared into over drive, the Sun Princess would never idly chat about something this serious. If what she was say was true, then that could me only one thing... A political uprising. An attempted take over of the throne.
"I have had my own suspicions for a while now, just recently the Greenfield Herd has reportedly been making plans to anex a portion of Ponyville's 'White Tail Woods' for a new mining site. The Lulamoon Guild have entered into talks with the Blueblood Guild with plans to increase the cost of travel to and from Canterlot by train. And of course there was that little dispute you witnessed downstairs."
"Princess, if these rumours are true, if the council is exceeding their jurisdiction and abusing their positions that we need to act now. Swoop down and arrest the lot before any serious is taken against you directly." said Spitfire, about to rise to her hooves, however Celestia beckoned her to remain seated.
"That, I'm afraid, is something we cannot do. The council's grip upon Canterlot is near absolute. They are responsible for the finances, the water, the food supply, the transport, and our relation with settlements across Equestria. This nation as we know it would grin to complete halt, should the Parliment be removed from power. In the time it would take to replace them, the Equestrian economy would collapse and the Ponies affected would revolt. Not to mention the council is also involved deeply within Equestrian Society, all six families have social ties that reach far back in Equestria's history." said the Princess
" So if we actually manage to arrest them, we would be making enemies from Equestria to who knows where." said Spitfire, rubbing her head in thought. Behind her the blue Unicorn from earlier entered through the chamber door, levitating a tea tray complete with tea pot, cups, spoons, and all the nessesery ingredients, at least by the Princess's standards. The Unicorn bowed to the Princess before excusing himself out the way he came in.
"That does seem to be the case. However, there maybe a hidden opportunity beneath all of this. Despite the hearsay of the Canterlot elite, I do not believe at all parties are involved." said Celestia, pouring tea for the two of them.
"You may have to elaborate, Princess." Said Spitfire, taking her tea cup in her hooves.
"I don't believe for a moment that either the Cadenza Flock or the Sparkle Guild are even remotely involved. The Cadenza Flock migrated to the Crystal Empire sometime last year and conduct all Canterlot buisness via letters, and as for the Sparkle Guild, they are responsible for the Canterlot Educational system, not to mention one of their own is like a daughter to me. I do have some concerns as to their parenting skills, otherwise, they have been nothing but loyal and devoted to the crown for many years." said Celestia, taking a sip from her cup.
"So you're saying that only the other four families are involved?" Asked Spitfire. Princess Celestia shook her head.
"Probably not even that, most likely some are simply abusing their status to achieve their own ends. Yet talk of my being unfit to rule, coupled with this troubles me. This is why I have summoned you, Commander Spitfire. I believe one or more of the council families is plotting against the crown. I want you to track down the guilty party and bring me evidence with which to convict, with concrete proof and enough time, I may be able to halt any potential threats towards myself and the other Princesses."
"Wait, what makes you think the other Princesses would become involved?"
"If the families believe I am unfit to rule then the logical step would be to have me... removed. Now my sister and I have lead this nation for long enough, that any none Alicorn atop the throne would be discredited almost immediately as a pretender. But if there were no other Alicorns to take over the mantle leadership, what other choice would the populous have? I cannot risk any potential harm coming to Twilight or the others, she... They, are too important." said Celestia. The last part caught Spitfire's curiosity, but only for a moment, the Princess probably misspoke. Spitfire swore internally, she was used to high profile missions from the Princess, but usually those came down to flattening a horde of invading 'Boars' with several tactical Lightning Strikes. Not espionage and political leaders plotting regicide.
"Princess... I don't understand. Why me? I command the Wonderbolts. I'm not exactly inconspicuous, everypony knows my face."
"Which makes you the ideal choice. You are a neutral party. If one of the families is planning a coup, then they would require all the supporters they could muster and a high profile figure such as yourself would garner much attention and admiration. Also as a celebrity of Equestria, you would be a welcome guest in almost any social event which the families are liable to attend or host." said Princess Celestia. Rising to her hooves, she trotted over to the balcony doors, gazing out across the stretch of Canterlot and the surrounding valley.
"As you may know Commander, in one months time Canterlot will play host to the two-hundredth annual Grand Galloping Gala. The night in question will be one of national importance. Not only is it the anniversary of Equestria's first victory against the Changeling Swarms but also it will be the first gala attended by not only myself, but Princess Luna, Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight at the same time." said Celestia.
Spitfire had to shake her head, she knew all too well the threat the Changelings posed to Equestria. She'd been one of the first responders at the 'Battle of Canterlot'; The entire city, aside from those attending the Royal Wedding inside, had gone completely silent, save only for a steady rhythmic pulsing hum. Above the Unicorn capital, a long black shadow made up of thousands of insect like Ponies swarmed across the sky, blocking out the sun with a wave of humming black bodies. That's when everything exploded. Groups of ten or so Changelings attacked the city in droves. The guardponies did their best to fight back, but we're swiftly outnumbered. Family were dragged from their homes. Children imprisoned within those slimy green cocoons. It was like a living nightmare, and all on Princess Cadance's special day.
"When all four of us close out the gala at the stroke of midnight, It will be remembered throughout the Realms as the moment Equestria stood tall and proud, as a nation united. Across Equestria and possibly beyond, all eyes will be fixed squarely upon Canterlot," Princess Celestia's face turned to one of direct seriousness, "This night must pan out exactly as I have planned. Which is why this situation must be dealt with before that night. Do you understand?!"
Spitfire gulped, she was starting to think the pressure was finally getting to the Princess.
"Y-yes ma'am. You can count on me, I'll find the ones responsible. If nothing else, I'll find evidence that proves the council has been overstepping their boundaries." Said Spitfire, rising to salute the Princess. Celestia's expression softened, her smile returning.
"That is very good to hear, Commander. I will have one of your understudies fill in for you at the Academy. I wish you the best of luck and hope for a swift resolution to this dilemma. My advice would be to begin with the Greenfield Herd. It is my opinion that they are the least likely to be involved out of the four. They are in the midst of performing an agricultural survay around Ponyville this week. To the best of my knowledge, a number of the more influential family members will be there."
"In that case, your highness. I'll fill out the paperwork in the morning and fly into town the same day." said Spitfire
"Why not simply take the train?"
"Well, a certain Princess let slip that ticket prices are going up... And I can exactly get on a train anymore without being buried under a mountain of screaming fans and love struck stallions."
Princess Celestia let out a quite chuckle as Spitfire turned to leave herself.
"Just a moment Commander. While you are in Ponyville, I must urge you to keep two things in mind. One is that you are on vacation, not working for me. And the other... Princess Twilight and her friends must not find out about any of this. Understood?!" Said Princess Celestia, looming over Spitfire like a mountain made flesh and fur.
"Yes Ma'am!" said Spitfire turning to leave. But just as she reached the door, a thought occured to her.
"Your highness? What tipped you off about this situation anyway?" Spitfire enquired. The Princess had returned to her seat, a picture frame from the fireplace, nestled within her forehooves.
"(Sigh) Well, if you must know. The Redwing Flock were responsible for the guardponies that were supposed to safeguard my niece, Princess Cadance, during the lead up to her wedding. Instead, my neice was capture, imprisoned and replaced by a Changeling imposter. Whether this was intentional or not is unknown. However, when the time came to question Minister Redwing and his Flock, the Changelings from our dungeons had vanished and the evidence of his hiring the guards was, allegedly, lost during the invasion."
"Wait... Are you honestly implying, The Redwing Flock was in league with the Changelings in an attempted takeover?!" Said Spitfire, stunned.
"Indeed I am. And now I fear, a mere two years later, that history threatens to repeat itself. Only this time with a different outcome." said the Princess, absentmindedly stroking the top of the picture frame in her hooves.
"Have no fear ma'am. I promise you... On my honor. I will find these traitors to Equestria and bring them to justice. You have my word." Said Spitfire. The Commander saluted once more before leaving through the door.
Xxx
Celestia sighed to herself. If only she could have told Spitfire the whole truth. But the time wasn't right and from the looks of things, the Commander had enough on her plate already.
Looking down at the picture in her hooves, the soft childlike smile of a young purple Unicorn filly greeted her. Celestia smiled once more, placing the picture back on the mantle piece with her magic.
"Don't worry Twilight. I'll keep you safe. Once the Gala has reached it conclusion, you will finally fulfil your destiny," The Princess flared her horn, her magics extinguishing the fireplace.
"A mother only wants what's best for her child."