The Royal Foalsitter

Cadance stood in front of large mirror in her room. She taxed herself and the results were finally pleasing. After a short mental debate she decided to stay with her usual blue ribbon in her mane and tail. Cadance looked in the mirror once again and lowered her head.

“Whatever happens you will take it with dignity,” she whispered.

The dinner with Aunt Celestia was still going to happen. After all Celestia prevented the destruction of Canterlot and there were no reasons for their dinner not to take place as scheduled.

Problem was that for the first time Cadance had no idea how Celestia will react.

Events that took place in Celestia School for Gifted Unicorns were Top Secret so of course everypony knew about them. Twilight Sparkle was the topic of the day around the palace and Canterlot. The news that Princess Celestia took a Personal Student for the first time in over five hundred years was sensational and engulfed the city in few hours. At the moment every pony was still in shock but soon some pony will ask very dangerous question.

How did it happen that a filly of such potential was discovered so late? She could destroy half the city! Who was responsible for this lack of security, we have institutions responsible for eliminating such threats, do we not?

It will not take long for ponies to start pointing hooves in her direction and they will be right. It was Cadance responsibility as Royal Foalsitter to evaluate the potential threat of Twilight magical field. Cadance did include all the information’s about it in Twilight portfolio, which, as Cadance rightfully guessed, was on Celestias desk fifteen minutes after the incident.

It didn’t help that an hour after the event Royal Chamberlain personally informed Cadance that the dinner will take place at the same time as always. Not much right? Problem is that Princess Celestia had in custom to invite ponies to dinner herself. It was her personal time and she could invite any one she wanted. She herself informed chef how many ponies will be attending the dinner. The Royal Chamberlain was never bothered with reminding a pony where and when the dinner took place as the invitation from Princess Celestia was a honor itself and nopony ever was late. So now Candance felt that it was more of a summoning then invitation.

Cadance know that this dinner will much likely decide of her future.

The clock on the wall informed the young princess that the dinner will start in fifteen minutes. It was time to face the unknown.

***

Ten minutes later Cadance entered the private room of Princess Celestia and trotted in. She wanted to be earlier and prepare the ground of her “last stand”. It was one of the customs of the dinner that It was Celestia who arrived on time to welcome already seated guests with a short wave of hoof, it had something to do with Grand Galloping Gala when Celestia was forced to welcome all the arriving guests personally for two thirds of the night.

Yet now to Cadance surprise Celestia was already in the room and she wasn’t alone. Next to Celestia sat a purple filly and enjoyed her oatmeal. Cadance didn’t count two mares who were personal maids of the Princess.

Twinkleshine and Merry May both A0 Class Agents. Forth division. Internal Affairs.Celestia Class ‘Death’ Restrictions lifted. Remembered Cadance. They can kill without permission from Celestia. Likable.

It took second for the filly to notice the trespasser.

“Cadance!” yelled the filly and with a outstanding jump she was next to her Foalsitter. The filly smiled at her and started to trot in place awaiting something . Candance immediately recognized that little Twilight wanted to perform their favorite nursery rhyme.

“Sunshine, sunshine ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake.” Recite both ponies in perfect unity ending it with a loud and cheerful laugh. Cadance happily noticed that Celestia although surprised was rather amused by this small performance of affection that Foalsitter and her pupil had towards one another.

“I finally got my Cutie Mark! Look!” the purple filly happily presented her flank with pink-purple six pointed star surrounded by five small white stars.

“I will tell you the story!” and young Twilight started her rant of this day excitements. Finally the filly ended out of breath and power to carry on jumping around Cadance. She stopped in middle of a sentence made a yawn and said:

“… and Princess Celestia said I will stay today, in guest rooms, in palace! *yawn* Do you have Smarty Pants with you! *yawn* I’m afraid to go sleep without him.”

To Cadance surprise it was Princess Celestia who answered Twilight question.

“I took the liberty of escorting Mr. Smarty Pants to your room, Twilight. I’m sure he is waiting there already.” At those words Twilight smiled from ear to ear. ”Now Twilight allow Merry May to take you to your room. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow and we don’t want you to fall asleep during your first day in School, do you?”

Twilight jumped as if the thought itself terrified her to the bones. “No! Goodnight Princess. Goodnight Cadance. Goodnight Twinkleshine the oatmeal was perfect. Lets goooo Merry May I have to brush my teeth before sleep!”

With those words of goodbye Twilight and green coated pegasus mare trotted out of the room.

It seemed that for a while every pony in the room enjoyed the peaceful silence that fell after the filly left. Finally the silence was broken by Twinkleshine who removed the oatmeal and started to place dishes for Cadance.

“Thank you Twinkleshine that will be all. You can leave.” Said Celestia when the place for Cadance was ready. It was very unorthodox for Princess to dismiss her maids during dinner but if Twinkleshine was surprised she didn’t express it in any way.

When Twinkleshine left, Cadance looked at her Aunt wondering if she should start the conversation or wait for the host.

Celestia leaned and took from under the table a thick portfolio. Cadance recognized it immediately. She was working on it for the last year. Everything she know or suspected about Twilight was there. The problem was what there was not. And there were no mentions of any life threatening abilities of young Twilight Sparkle.

“Twilight is exceptional unicorn,” stated Celestia and with deep sight added. “After seeing you and her together I hope you don’t mind that I will take care for her from now on?”

Realization hit Cadance suddenly. She was so afraid of her own future she neglected that. Now it will be Celestias work to tutor the filly and Cadance will remind only a memory. If only a memory. Twilight will probably forget even their silly nursing rhyme in a few years. That fact made Cadance sad.

“No Princess I have full confidence that Twilight could not have, better teacher then you.”

Princess Celestia looked at Cadance for a few seconds.

“Cadance, the incident wasn’t your fault. Furthermore I’m more than sure that nopony including me would be able to prevent today events to unfold as they did. It is very much possible that your actions that lead to this day events might prevented lost of life. In my opinion it wasn’t luck that I was here to prevent the events to unfold in worst possible way.”

Cadance was surprised and at the same time felt as if a great weight was lifted from her heart. Celestia didn’t blamed her for today’s events, but neither did she took them as mere coincidence. Did her Aunt suspected some kind of plot?

“Do you want to say that somepony planed it all?”

“Yes and no. Two random events at the same time are possible but highly unlikely. However before I will elaborate more I have to ask you a question. Tell me my dear Cadance what did you felt when the rainbow explosion filled the sky?”

“I felt… well…” the question surprised Cadance.

“Don’t be shy tell me exactly with your own words what did you fell?”

“I felt… that the cogwheels of fate were on the move again.”

Celestia smiled.

“hmm… Cogwheels. That’s one interesting way to describe it. But worry not my dear niece. I did felt it too. We are at the edge of world changing days. I’m more than sure this filly will take part in those events. You can sense it too. I read it in portfolio you created.” Celestia opened the briefcase and started to read.

“Unexceptionally talented filly that is fated for great things. Your own words. It’s the only part where you deviate from strictly formal way of describing the asset. Why did you added this opinion?”

“It felt… right to do so Princess.”

“I’m sure it did.” Princess Celestia smiled. Her horn glowed and Celestia magic lifted a chalice from the table. Princess took a small sip of the liquid. “ Tell me my niece what is you view on the free will?”

Once again this day Princess Cadance felt totally surprised by Celestia question. Cadance admitted that this enigmatic and cryptic side of her Aunt was unknown to her.

“I didn’t gave it a much thought Princess.”

“I personally believe in destiny, but not in coincidence and at the same time I believe that ponies have free will. Limited, but free in that very limited way. Do you understand?”

“I’m not sure if I do.” Cadance knew that honesty is the key in relations with her Aunt.

“Maybe you are yet to young to understand it but I ask you to have those words in mind during mission you are about to embark upon.”

Cadance razed her eyebrow. Mission? Embark upon?

“Twilight Sparkle will stay under my protection for the time being. You can sense that she is indeed not only talented but also necessary for the fate to unfold itself in the right way.”

Cadance nodded but didn’t said anything.

“She isn’t the only one,” continued Celestia. ” I have a feeling there are other ponies as important as she is and we have to find them. You have to know that it’s not the first time I felt this way. I spent last thousand years reflecting on events and effects of the last time fate changed Equestria. This time I’m not going to make the same mistakes. Finding those ponies and securing their destiny in a right way is of utter importance. Unfortunately I can’t move freely from my seat of power in Canterlot and look for those ponies personally. For the moment I know that only you can sense the importance of this matter, moreover you already have cover and training for the mission as Royal Foalsitter. I’m removing you from your current assignment in Bureau and give you double O Class Field Agent privileges. The paper work will come to you tomorrow morning.”

Cadance was dumb struck. Did Celestia just announced her that she was going to be a 00 field agent?

For real! Double 0! No restrictions. No superiors except Celestia. ‘Whatever this pony do she does it in best interest of Equestria and I Princess Celestia authorize all those actions.’

“Thank you Princess but are you sure I’m best possible choice?”

Princess Celestia smiled again.

“Yes. I’m sure you are the best pony for this mission. Thrust your fate.” With those words Celestia pointed at Cadance Cutie Mark.

“Don’t worry Cadance I will devote all my free time here for this matter. Sooner or later will find what we are looking for. Now we have to follow the only lead we have. Sonic Rainboom.”

What?

“Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t invented this name. Sonic Rainboom it’s a legendary pegasi flight technique. I personally met few ponies in my life who were able to perform it but it’s been over six hundred years since I seen last Rainboom in the sky. I ordered all available literature on the subject to be brought to your room. I want you to find whoever performed this Sonic Rainboom. I need you to do it asap. Carriage to Cloudsdale will be waiting for you tomorrow morning. I expect regular reports.”

Cadance looked at Celestia and understood that the dinner /briefing was over so she bowed and trotted towards the exit of the room. She had a lot to think about. Before she opened the door Celestia said one last thing.

“Cadance please remember that when cogwheels of fate turn, they tend to grind the pebbles that stand in their way.”