"Lightning Dust, I swear, they won't humiliate us. I won't take their garbage." Gilda snarled as she pawed her way across the dirt path.
Lightning Dust scoffed, "Yes. Because then we'd be garbage mares, Gilda." Lightning smirked at her friend, who snarled at her.
"What I'm saying is that if they make us angry, we'll pull out our claws!" Gilda reared up, her claws sparkling in the summer sun.
"Or hooves."
"Yes. Or hooves."
Lightning giggled, "Maybe you should focus on pulling yourself out of trouble, Gil'."
"I can hit hard when I'm angry." Gilda said with a grin.
"But it takes a lot to make you angry." Gilda growled at Lightning's remark.
"Well, one of the house of Maretague can make me angry."
"Angry enough to run away! You won't even stay to fight."
"You got a death wish or something?!"
"Hush, Gilda. The fight is between our house leaders, and we who live under them. Not against ourselves."
"But I doubt The Princess would punish me for your demise."
"You know she would. You know that."
Gilda smirked, "You're lucky you're my friend, Light."
"Yes yes." Lightning stood alert and looked around. She then pulled Gilda close and pointed behind them. Octavia, Vinyl, and Lyra trotted carelessly across the street, Octavia leading the pack. "Wait man, here come the Maretagues."
Octavia looked up and smirked at them. "Behind me, mares. The Coltulets are here."
Gilda glared at them, and turned her back to them.
"Hello, dear Coltulet." Octavia snarled, a hint of sarcasm in her voice, causing Vinyl to giggle.
Gilda ignored her.
Octavia's smirk faltered. "Are you turning your back?"
"I am, ma'am."
"You're turning your back, on us ma'am?"
Gilda turned to Lightning, "Is the Princess on our side if I say yes?"
Lightning leaned toward her, "No."
"I am not, ma'am. But I do turn my back, ma'am."
Lighting turned to Octavia, "Are you tryin' to fight, ma'am?"
"Fight, ma'am? Oh no." Her smirk returned full force.
Gilda turned back around, "If you're looking for a fight, you came to the right place. My lord is as good as yours."
Octavia leaned toward Gilda, "He may be, but not better than mine."
Gilda smirked, "Well then."
Behind the fray, Fluttershy glided in carefully, humming a sweet tune while following a small bird. She landed softly and glanced about, seeing Gilda and Octavia.
"Oh, dear..."
Lightning looked around happily and she leaned towards Gilda, "Gil', say 'better'."
"Yes, better ma'am."
Octavia's smirk faded. "You lie."
"Then bring out your hooves if you are mares! Lightning, back me up."
Octavia snarled and lunged at Gilda, getting a few swings in at her beak and wings. Gilda flung her back and scratched her on the side, as Octavia clutched her wounds.
"Octy! Oh now you'll pay, buster..." Vinyl and Lyra galloped towards the duo, their horns lit. Gilda tried to fly up, but felt a sharp pain in it. "Damnit. Octavia got me in the wing."
Vinyl and Lyra grew closer to the injured Gilda until Fluttershy jumped between them, her hooves up and ready to fight them off.
"S-stop! You all have to stop! If Princess Twilight sees you fighting again-"
The sound of hooves clicking filled the air. A lovely unicorn mare, with a white coat and purple mane, walked slowly toward Fluttershy, her horn lit.
"Darling, you have your hooves up against these weak peasants? Turn around Fluttershy, and face your death."
"I am only keeping the peace, Rarity... Please stop your magic or use it to stop this fight with me-"
"Ha! Hooves up and talking of peace?" She grimaced and her horn sparked, "I hate that word, as I hate Tartarus, the Maretagues and you. Have at it, coward!"
Rarity sprinted toward Fluttershy, who flew up and dived toward Rarity. Meanwhile, a few other Coltulets and Maretagues joined in on the large fight. Soon, many ponies joined on the fray, a chorus and insults and thuds filling the streets, with Rarity and Fluttershy in the center of it all.
"ENOUGH!!!" Cried a loud voice, the crowd being held in place by purple magic.
"P-princess Twilight! What an honor-" Rarity began, but was cut off.
"Ugh! You just won't listen to me!" Twilight flung her head into her hoof as she sat upon her golden carriage. "How many times must I tell you that I won't have these stupid fights in Mareona's streets? You know what?" She sighed, "Next time you fight, you're very lives will pay the price."
The crowd gasped.
"Now, onto what happened here..." She looked up at the crowd, still held in her magic. "Fluttershy!" She released the yellow pegasus. "Please tell your lord that I well meet him at 3 today."
Fluttershy bowed, "Y-y-yes, your highness."
"Good. I expect him to be punctual. Rarity!" She released the white unicorn. "Your lord will be seen tomorrow at 10 am sharp."
"Yes, my princess." Rarity bowed as well.
"Thank you. I shall take my leave. Please just... Try to behave."
Twilight flew off in her carriage, as she released the ponies.
Everyone left, except for Fluttershy, who sighed and trotted to a nearby bench.
"Oh, this grudge is going to destroy us one day..."
"Fluttershy?" A voice called, it was Shining Armor, the lord of the Maretagues, followed by Cadance, his wife.
"Oh! Hello my lord." She nodded to him respectfully. "Princess Twilight told me to tell you-"
"It's alright, dear. We heard her." Cadance replied happily.
"Oh, then what is it? Is something wrong?"
"It's Rainbow Dash. You're her friend correct?" Shining looked at her sadly.
"Yes, I know her quite well."
"She's been moping around lately..." Cadance interjected.
"I noticed."
"Do, do you think you can try to see what's wrong?" Shining asked.
"We just want to help her." Cadance said.
"Of course, my lady. I'll see what I can do." She began to fly away when she heard Cadance call to her.
"Good luck, Fluttershy!"
She sighed and continued to fly towards Rainbow Dash, "Knowing Rainbow Dash, I'll need it."
"Good morning, Rainbow!" Fluttershy cooed as she landed next to her friend. She was lying on a cloud, a small flower held in her hooves. She looked sad and stared longingly at the flower.
"Is it morning?"
"Yes, it's 9 am Rainbow."
"Ha! Times sure flies when you're sad, don't it?" She smiled, but Fluttershy could tell it was forced. "That my dad who was talking to you?"
"It was."
