Itty Bitty Secret

Less than two minutes later a triple knock emanated from the door to my quarters. I called to whoever was at my door, telling them to come in. As expected Senton entered and gave a respectful bow.

“How can I be of assistance Princess?” He asked. Right back into professional mode it seems.

“It is good to see you Senton, I am afraid to ask of you a favour. But I think it would help you as much as it will me. Tell me,do you like pranking ponies?” I asked.

“Beg your pardon, Princess?” Senton said confusedly.

“Pranks. Do you enjoy doing them, give me an honest answer” I repeated.

I could easily tell Senton was very surprised by the odd topic but he did answer nonetheless.

“When I was younger me and my sister used to play the occasional prank on each other but when you get into the guard its not really seen as appropriate” He replied, his eyes glazed over slightly as he remembered his childhood.

I could easily relate to that. Eons ago when the requests of a nation did not way on Luna and I’s shoulders we frequently played pranks on each other and the local populace. Unfortunately, I don’t really get much free time nowadays. So having fun was down the agenda. But I do know that my faithful student Twilight Sparkle and her ever courageous brother Shining Armour used to be rather playful until they grew up.

But now it seems like everyone had grown up too much to enjoy the more simpler pleasures of life. But I do suppose a princess who relentlessly pranks her subjects might not be the best idea. Especially since last time when some ponies began calling me a gigantic troll. I didn’t even know what that meant but I could tell it wasn’t the most flattering thing.

Still, a little prank wouldn't be the cause for that large a concern. But, maybe I should have abstained from this one.,.

I broke Senton out of his trip down memory lane and asked him “Would you want to relive these memories?”

“What do you have in mind um… Princess?” He asked nervously.

“Well there is a certain pony who I know who has a very particular fear. She is fearless to almost everything and is very brave, but she has one weakness. She is no stranger to pranks herself and has been quite a nuisance on the town of ponyville...

“Sorry for interrupting Princess, but do you mean Miss Rainbow Dash?” Senton inquired.

I raised a quizzical eyebrow. “Do you know her?”

“Not in person, Princess…”

“Call me Celestia, I don’t mind it” I interjected.

“Oh um ...well Celestia, I know her because we went to flight camp together for a time. I was an instructor but as a unicorn I never flew, but I know a lot of flight theory. She used to be an avid pranker even back then” Senton nervously replied.

This was good news.

“And do you wish to exact a form of revenge?” I asked, a small smile gracing my face.

“N-No that would be very wrong” Senton said as he started sweating. He was an even worse liar then Applejack.

I merely raised an eyebrow and smiled until he caved in.

“Alright!” He exclaimed. “Maybe some part of me wants a bit of justice for all the trouble she caused me back in flight camp.But how would we do it Pri… Celestia?” He stammered.

“It’s all very simple. As you know my sister is ever vigilant for nightmares prowling through the night. She reported to me that Miss Rainbow Dash had a troubling dream Last night… about a spider.”

“I think I see where this is going, Celestia. Would you wish for me to drop a spider on her?” Senton asked.

I gave a small chuckle, the musical sound bouncing off the walls. “As much as that would be amusing, to make sure we get fully redemption we need something more elaborate. Do you know of Fluttershy?” I asked.

This time it was Sentons turn to raise an eyebrow. “Yes, she was a good friend of Rainbows, I didn’t really know her very well”

“Well, she is very good with animals of all sorts. Her kind and demure nature makes almost all animals feel a sense of calmness and peaceful clarity. But she is very socially anxious. So, whenever the poor dear can’t deal with an animal she is so shy that she won’t call someone from an animal control agency. She usually gets her friends to help her with any very difficult critters.”

“If you don’t mind me asking ,Celestia. Where is this going?” Senton asked.

I smiled calmly at him.” Rainbow is usually the one she calls to help her because they are so close. Do you know of the Limpond Redback variety of spider by any chance?”

“I don’t think I have, Celestia” Senton replied after a moments silence.

“Well, they are very rare and notoriously difficult to control. It takes a very powerful unicorn to remove them from their nest. They also have a look that some may find distressing yet they are completely harmless to ponies. Thus they are the perfect subject for our little social experiment” I said while maintaining my motherly tone.

“So, what is the plan?”

“Unfortunately, I am unable to leave the palace. The consequences would be huge if there was any delay in the day to day proceedings. But now I have you to help me.”

I had to think for an excuse here. Although Senton was pure at heart, I couldn't let him know about the elements of harmony.

“Rainbow, Fluttershy and the rest of their friends have gone on a three week long trip to Appaloosa. There has been many shortages of workers there and so they volunteered their services. They left two days ago so I think now would be the perfect time to prepare our little soirée. Now, I need you to place a small nest of baby Limpond Redback’s in the attic of Fluttershy’s house”

“Are you sure?” Senton asked.

“I know it may seem a bit direct but let me finish” I chuckled.” As I said I cannot leave the palace and Fluttershy will not be present. The Limpond Redback’s are only small but they grow fast.”

“If you don’t me asking… where will you get the spiders from?”

“I think you’ll find when you are a princess, things are much easier to acquire” I replied and that was that.”But once Fluttershy returns she will find her attic full of Limpond Redbacks. I don’t think she would of heard of them. They are not native to Equestria. Hopefully she will call on Miss Rainbow Dash whose sheer determination will be most hilarious to watch as she tries to remove the things she fears the most”

“While placing the next. Could you also create a magical nexus on the opposite side of the attic?” I asked.

“Hidden Camera?” Senton guessed.

“Exactly. I will cast a scrying spell and a motion detector for the nexus. When somepony, most likely Fluttershy, enters the attic the camera will activate and our prank will unfold. I will send for you and we can watch this together.” I explained.

“Of course, I am not forcing you to take part in this. You may back out at any time. After all it’s only a bit of fun” I said.
j

This bit of reverse psychology would hopefully get him into it. It would be problematic to get another guard to do the work. Anyways, I did like Senton and I hoped this would give him a nice break as well as myself.

“No Princess Celestia. To be honest this is too good of an opportunity to pass up” He replied with a confident smile. Finally coming out of his shell it seems.

“Very well, meet me in two days once your afternoon shift ends at 6PM. I shall be on the veranda. The password to get past the other guards guarding the veranda will be Dash.”

“Can I ask you one more thing?” Senton said uncertainly.

“By all means” I replied.

“How will I get to Miss Fluttershy’s house?”

“I will teleport you there. When the magical nexus is activated I shall teleport you back”

“Very well, good night Celestia” Senton replied with a smile as he opened and exited through the mahogany doors in my bedroom.

I nodded to myself, content with what was happening. Unfortunately, I had forgotten a very special characteristic of Limpond Redbacks and it would cause much more trouble than just a prank…

Two days later and I was standing on the veranda. I had asked the solar guards behind me to not let anyone who didn’t know the predetermined password which I told them in and that was going to have a very deep reflection session. They fell for the ruse easily and now all I had to do was wait. The sun was beginning to clip the edge of the horizon and soon I would have to take it down. But it was a breathtaking view, even for an old mare like myself.

Soon enough, the doors behind me opened and as I expected out came Senton. As before, he respectfully bowed.

“Are you ready, Senton Aurorae” I asked.

“Yes,...Celestia” Senton replied.

“Marvelous. Here are the spiders” I carefully allowed him to grasp a box that was half green and half red.”Make sure to keep the box with the green side facing upwards and be careful with them, we don’t want any harm to come to them” I said slowly so he would get every word.

“I won’t let you down” Senton replied.

I smiled”No need to be so serious my dear” I said with mirth.

Senton blushed slightly then readied himself to teleport.

“Good luck” I said. Then I focused my energy and thought about Fluttershy’s little cottage, soon enough Senton was gone in an almost blinding white light.