Chapters Princess Cadance was trotting through the crowds of Canterlot. Around her city thrived. Ponies going in all directions busy with they every day errands. Above her Celestias sun shined and gave pleasant warmth of spring. Canterlot Weather Teams did especially good work that day and only few clouds could be seen above the city. Cadance had to admit that the team leader had excellent idea to place them there. Canterlot bloomed.
Cadance traveled a lot around the Equestria and have seen many cities. She noticed that every city was especially beautiful in different season, for example Las Pegasus flourished in the summer, Fillydefphia autumn was a breath taking sight and seeing Staliongrad in winter was worth all the trouble of getting to the east Equestria, but spring… Spring belonged to Canterlot.
Cadance bought few sweetrolls in one of many stands in the market. She took one from her bag and started to eat it slowly during her trot.
Do I have time for a stroll around the park? Asked herself in thoughts Cadance. Twilight evaluation to School for Gifted Unicorns will take a while.
Canterlot Royal Park greeted Cadance with laugh of fillies playing and view of glamorous mares enjoying company of gentlecolts. As she ventured into the park she saw fillies playing with kites, old ponies enjoying sunny day and a play of chess. What she didn’t notice was a group of colts playing volleyball. Problem was she felt it when a ball hit her head.
When Cadance opened her eyes she saw face of well known to her colt. Shining Armor was smiling at her with his stupid grim.
“You should pay attention to your surroundings Cadance.” Said Twilight brother. Although his words were expressing concern his tone and face were not. It seemed as if the colt was forcing himself not to burst out laughing. “Tell me please princess how is it that every time we see each other you somehow manages to end up under me.”
Cadance grinned her teeth to a memory when she lost her balance and felt on Twilight brother landing with him in very awkward position. Since then he never missed an occasion to remind her of that stupid incident.
When Cadance finally managed to lift herself from the ground, ignoring hoof of Shining Armor and his comment all together, she saw that he was holding a ball in his hoof.
That… low life. Thought Cadance.
“I wonder sometimes Armor if the shield spell you are so proud of is not in fact to protect ponies from you not the other way around.”
“Touché Cadance. I just hope somepony will manage to melt your frozen hart you have on your flank and chest, my Princess Mi Amore.” Shining Armor didn’t lost his humor, even more to Candance frustration he seemed to enjoy this words fencing.
Cadance only snorted at him. “Learn your aim Armor. Your reckless behavior will be the end of somepony.”
To Cadance terror Shining Armor smiled even wider and raised an eyebrow. “Yes it will be the end of somepony,” he whispered, “but who said I missed.” With that Shining Armor trotted away towards other colts, waiting for him to retrieve the ball.
Cadance suppressed the urge to run after him and punch him with all her force in the face. She wasn’t a silly filly any more. None the less she was raging inside.
That … low life. He didn’t even apologize. That… arrogant bastard.
Cadance looked around. The scene between her and Armor went unnoticed in the park. Unfortunately the fall on the ground left Cadance all dirty, with her mane a mess and a sweetroll now uneatable on the ground. All good mood of a spring day in Canterlot was gone so Cadance trotted back in direction of the Royal Palace.
Cadance spent all the way to the palace muttering curses and blaming Shining Armor for all evil in this world. She was furious with him. Part of her mind was distressed that he was able to get under her skin so easily. Finally Cadance took a deep breath and with a long sigh released all that anger. A trick she learned from her Aunt.
Princess Cadance looked at the sky and with shock realized that it was late. In an hour or more Twilight evaluation to Celestia School for Gifted Unicorns will end and Cadance wanted to be at the ceremony of granting the Certificates of Acceptance. Furthermore she wanted to be there and not look as if she just wrestled with a bear.
There were two reasons for that. First was to congratulate her protégé. Twilight was exceptional unicorn and Cadance bonded with the filly during her time she spent as Foalsitter and she wanted to be there for the filly.
Second reason for Cadance to be at the ceremony was to show herself to Celestia. Not every Royal Foalsitter manages to find a talent worthy of attempting Celestia School in first year of field work. Cadance managed to tutor young talent of Twilight Sparkle straight to the renowned academy moreover she managed to implement in the filly love for studding and magical science. Of course the filly had natural tendencies to those things but subtle censorship of books she read and delicate shielding her from distractions were also important. Shining Armor was the only distraction that Cadance could not eliminate from Twilights life, as her brother he had the right to be there. To Cadance relief he never did interfere with the direction that Cadance lead Twilight in her early education.
Cadance smiled to the memory of what was written above the entrance to the Foalsitters department of internal affairs in the Royal Intelligence Agency:
“Take them young and teach…”
Twilight Sparkle is a great asset in the sprouting career of young princess. Furthermore Cadance will be able to shine today in front of her Aunt herself, finally proving that joining the agency and starting from the lowest place was the right choice. Cadence will prove her abilities and soon Celestia will acknowledge her and not treat her as a teenager.
Deep in those thoughts Cadance entered the Royal Palace grounds.
“Cadenza!” yelled some pony at her. At first she didn’t recognized the voice but the second she saw who called her she bowed her head. Next to her stood none the less then her Majesty in person.
“Where are you going? I called you twice. Something happened to you my dear? You look dreadful.” Asked Princess Celestia with actual concern in her voice.
Or maybe centuries of practicing speech give her the ability to imitate all sorts of emotion through her voice. Thought Cadance because Celestia face didn’t express any emotion at all. Cadance learned long ago that her Aunt was able to shield her true emotions perfectly and trying to read her true mood from face was nearly impossible if Celestia herself didn’t wanted to be “read”. Cadance hoped that she will someday learn that ability because right now her embarrassment was more than well shown for all to see.
“No Princess. I … I had little accident in the park. Gravity is addiction hard to lose.” Cadance used old joke from flight camp to loosen the tense, for her, situation. Celestia only raised her eyebrow so Cadance took other tactic and tried to change the subject.
“I was just going to my quarters to freshen up before the Ceremony.” Proposed Cadance hoping Celestia will take the bite.
“Aaa …yes I have been informed you brought some filly for testing today.” Celestia sighed. “Cadance I never asked why did you chose the Royal Intelligence? There were so many other institutions with would give you chance to prove yourself and much more fame in the process. You do realize the Biuro work in silence and depends on subtlety.”
The question surprised Cadance but she know the answer to that one.
“Because knowledge is power.”
Celestia looked at her niece for a while. Finally she gave her a bright and warm smile.
“We will have to talk more about this my dear. Maybe today at dinner?”
“Of course Princess.” Replied fast Cadence. Personal audience with Aunt was a rare privilege.
“I’m looking to meet your …” Princess Celestia was not meant to end that sentence because a great explosion shattered in that moment Equestria sky.
Great rainbow colored waves of light swept past the sky in all directions from unknown origin point. With the outstanding play of light come the thunder that brought all ponies to their knees.
Cadance didn’t know how did she landed on the ground but for some reason again that day she was eating dirt. Above her stood Princess Celestia in all her majesty and with troubled eyes looked into the distance sky.
Then ground shaken and to the terror of many Canterlot citizens through the roof of the School for the Gifted Unicorns stared at the city head of a Dragon.
Cadance blood froze for a second. Dragon in the city could bring pain and death to hundreds of ponies. A flash of light brought her back to reality. Aunt was here and acting.
She will fix things as she always does. Thought Cadance.
Then came very weird realization that she and all of Equestria witnessed something extraordinary. Whatever that was it couldn’t be good.
Could it?
Cadance shivered. Somehow she know that those were time changing events.
The cogwheels of fate were on the move again.
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.”
Cadance air chariot landed in Cloudsdale air port. Young Princess not the first time in her life admired the beauty of ancient Cloudsdale city. She read somewhere that it was truly oldest city in Equestria. According to some historian ( whose name she couldn’t remember) when pegasi settled for good in Equestria, General Hurricane himself ordered that the grate cloud city will be relocated from their old home to newly found Equestria. Thanks to that decision Cloudsdale is only city that has unique character. You can feel the millennia looking upon you from somewhat ancient architecture.
Cadance took her saddlebags from chariot and thanked, with a smile, two Royal Guards that pulled the vehicle during the way from Canterlot. It was nice from Aunt Celestia to give her the few hours of secure travel which she used to catch up with reading reports and documents about the events following the mysterious Rainboom.
There weren’t many due to the fact that the incident took place less than a day ago. Few that managed to travel to Royal Intelligence Agency went straight to Celestia and then to Cadance. And all of them pointed to Cloudsdale as the source of the problem.
Most important report was from Storm Chaser the head of Royal Intelligence hub in Cloudsdale.
…I was indoors when the incident happened. I admit I was caught out of guard when I heard that explosion. We had training in cases of bombing attack but I never experienced it outside secure training zone. I flew out the window of my office to see what happened. I was expecting building collapsing and panic all around the city but to my great surprise every pony was looking up the sky above the city where a rainbow was painted. I use the word painted with all the premeditation, because it wasn’t a normal way a rainbow appears. I worked in Cloudsdale weather factory long enough to know how we make rainbows through water and proper light dispersion. That wasn’t a normal rainbow. First of all it was much more intense as if somepony was using paint on the blue sky not just disperse the light. Secondly the rainbow was being created as I looked at it. Somepony was at the ‘front’ of the rainbow and his/hers wake was ‘painting’ the sky. The view was breath taking and I have to admit that it took me a few minutes to wake up from awe and gain clearance in my head. When I did, the consequences of what happened dawned onto me. I ordered emergency briefing with all my agents. I send my best pegasi flyers after the culprit but when they returned empty hoof I ordered all city and surrounding area search for whoever was able to pull this off.
I received first reports an hour after the incident. According to eye witness the incident originated very low beneath Cloudsdale on area designated to junior flight camp. Further reports indicated that the explosion was followed by sound and shockwave. Faust blessing upon us, that the nature of the ‘Rainbow Explosion’ was very specific. The sound wave spread in all directions just like a normal wave, luckily the shockwave did not and its effect was only horizontal. I received a report indicating that the shockwave was strong enough to crack open few rocks in nearby hills. If the explosion would occurred on Cloudsdale height … there would be no Cloudsdale.
In light of those information’s I ordered close invigilation of all ponies working and attending the junior flight camp. Whenever I will come with new information about the incident I will report immediately.
Cadance read that report yesterday before going to sleep ( btw long after midnight). She hoped that in the morning, before she begin her journey to Cloudsdale, new report will come with more knowledge about the mysterious pony behind the Rainboom. Unfortunately it didn’t and to Cadance surprise the rapport she had was the last one that arrived from Royal Intelligence Agency hub in Cloudsdale.
Cadance decided that her first steps in pegasi city will be reporting in the RIA hub and come up to date with recent events. She adjusted her saddlebags comfortably and waved, the guard pegasi farewell as they took off back to Canterlot.
In that moment somepony gently poked her flank. The touch was so unexpected that it startled young princess. When she turned her head she saw a white unicorn stallion in a dress-coat, protruding bust, and an exceptionally large horn.
“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?” he asked with deep but mild tone.
“Yes.”
“A pleasure to meet you in person. My name is Fancypants. I have been asked to… “the unicorn seemed to look for good phrase.” … accompany you during your … visit in Cloudsdale.”
With those words he levitated a letter towards Cadance. Letter had royal seal on it. “I have been asked to give you this as a letter of recommendation of my … service.”
Cadance took the letter in her hooves and looked with shocked at the newly meet unicorn.
“How … how is it possible for a unicorn to be here! We are in Cloudsdale! City in clouds!”
To further extend her shock at this situation she noticed that a big chariot or rather a buss, landed in the opposite side of the large flat cloud which worked as Cloudsdale Air Port. The ‘buss’ thing was carried by eight pegasi, four in front and four the back, floating the vehicle like a lectica. What made Cadance stare at the sight with awe was the fact that, out from the buss like wagon, come a group of unicorns and even few earth ponies. It seemed that neither unicorns nor earth ponies were aware that they were trotting on clouds not solid land.
Cadance attention went back at Fancypants.
“If you don’t mind me asking how is it possible that you are not … you know falling to your death right now?”
Fancypants looked at Cadance with shocked expression and then at his hooves steadily positioned on the cloud.
“Aah… that.” He smiled back at Cadance.” It’s a enchantment that allows non-Pegasi ponies to walk on clouds. It works for 24 hours and it become routine to cast it each morning and before sleep, just like brushing your teeth. I have been in Cloudsdale for a month and I already forgot about that minor detail. If you want to make business with pegasi you have to learn few tricks. ”
“And earth ponies?”
“Well they buy the enchantment each day. As I said pegasi are large community. For centuries pegasi traders had monopoly on earth and unicorn goods market in Cloudsdale, but we live in times of progress. Every major company has its hub in Cloudsdale nowadays. If you don’t mind I would prefer to continue out little chat in some other place. We have some things to discus and I for one wouldn’t like to be eavesdropped. I know nice little place nearby where we could talk in private. Shall we?” Fancypants said with a innocent smile on his face.
“Of course but I have…”
“I’m sure you have lots of questions. I hope that the letter you are holding will answer some of them but probably it will just give you more. I will be glad to answer them in near future, but …” Fancypants lowered his voice to a whisper. “…I wouldn’t like to discuss matters of national security in a public place.”
Cadance shuddered and nervously looked around for anypony who would be watching or listening to their conversation.
Fancypants shock his head with disapproval and murmured “Newbie’s”.
Cadance opened and read the letter.
Dear Niece
The unicorn that gave you this letter is Fancypants. He is a spy.
I’m aware that you have basic Royal Foalsitter training but I’m afraid that the mission I presented you with might be difficult and you will soon need a helping hoof of a professional. I send him to you as a bodyguard and trainer. Listen to him and learn from him as much as you can, but remember that his mission is not Your mission. Furthermore you have to know he is not hired gun nor is he forced to do your bidding in any way so I urge you to treat him friendly. If he start to play dumb remind him he owes me.
Princess Celestia.
Cadance read the short letter twice, after she finally looked at her new ‘friend’.
Cadance followed Fancypants out of the air port into the cloud city. After five minutes of very silent trot, her “new friend” turned in direction of a crowded restaurant. Although there were plenty of free tables outside the restaurant he went for the door, opened them and invited Cadance inside with a smile and slow wave of a hoof. He definitely wanted more privacy.
To Cadance surprise the indoor restaurant was crawling with ponies, despite the fact it wasn’t even noon yet. Princess noticed not only pegasi but also few unicorns and even a yellow earth pony among the restaurant clientèle.
The restaurant itself was big, clearly build to host large events. Cadance fast calculated that, although the early time of the day, almost two thirds of the restaurant was taken.
What caught Cadance attention was a large and very loud group of pegasi, at the counter, that simultaneously listened and commented some sport event that was reported from large speaker above them.
That will be it in terms of privacy , thought Cadance.
Fancypants lead Princess Cadance to a table and offered her place like a gentlecolt. Cadance noticed that, many ponies they passed on the way through the restaurant smiled or waved at Fancypants.
When Cadance took the place her host offered her, and Fancypants sat in front of her, the pegasi waiter appeared out of nowhere.
“How can I serve monsieur Fancypants.”
“The same as always and for my honored guest spécialité de la mezon,” answered Fancypants.
Waiter bowed and flew way with both speed and grace.When he was finally out of ears reach Cadance looked at Fancypants with disbelieve.
“I thought you didn’t wanted to talk in a public place. This is pretty public place.”
“This establishment belongs to a… friend. The building is magically enchanted to interfere with frequency of any eavesdropping spells and devices. Furthermore it is official Wanderbolts fan center club, so there are always ponies around talking commenting and basically generating a natural hum that makes normal eavesdropping very hard and easy to detect. To casual gossip hungry visitors you are just one of my many clients. Look around just two ponies talking in a restaurant nothing news worthy, nothing suspicious.”
“… and SCORE. One zero for Stormhunters after brilliant pass from…” Roared the speaker and second later every table in the restaurant was engulfed by cheerful mood. Ponies rose up from tables and cheered loudly.
Cadance was caught totally off guard by this sudden burst of activity and observed the events with shock when Fancypants stood up from his seat and joined the cheering smiling and yelling “Go Stormhunters!”
When he sat down back his face was serious again.
"You wanna blend into a new city? You'd better be up on local sports,” said her host with a smile.
“Sooo… my aunt say you are a spy?”
“I prefer Operative. Cover operation specialist but now I have been asked to bodyguard and teach you Princess.”
“Aunt sent a Operative to protect me?”
"Operatives do a lot of bodyguard work. On any given day the average commando is more likely to be watching a VIP walk his dog than engaging the enemy in battle. Not glamorous, but part of the job."
“Do you work for Royal Intelligence Agency?”
“No. Not every pony in my business work directly for the RIA.”
Cadance smiled at Fancypants. There were rumors in the intelligence about a group of ponies that worked outside the RIA chain of command directly for her majesty. Is he one of Aunts special friends?
“How is it to be a… operative?” She asked.
"Covert ops has its perks; you travel, make your own hours, and expense most of your meals. The downside? Lots of powerful organizations and ponies want you dead."
“You seem very open for a spy!”
“Well its part of what your Aunt asked me for. Consider it intense field training but don’t except much. Explaining the rules of covert ops is always a challenge. It's a world where good ponies look like bad ponies, and two wrongs do, in fact, make a right."
“Do you like to speak in riddles?”
“You will get use to.”
Cadance looked at him for a second and decided to end this farce.
“Listen Fancypants. I’m here to obtain a certain goal. It shouldn’t take that long for me to need a personal bodyguard and teacher. The entire errand will take me a day, maximum two days. As much as I appreciate your presence I don’t need somepony looking over my shoulder and pouring mystical spy wisdom on me. I know you owe my Aunt a favor and you will stick to your assignment but you have to know I’m in charge here and you will not treat me as some teenage apprentice!”
“Fair enough. I will ease down with the ‘mystical spy wisdom’, but I still insist on the guard part of my job.”
“Ok. Now that we are officially pass the introduction, lets het down to business. Have you seen the Rainbow event yesterday?”
“You are referring to the Rainboom.”
“How do you…”
“I’m professional. Furthermore we are in Cloudsdale. There are things ponies can’t, or are too afraid to, put in official reports but information travel fast. Every pegasi in Cloudsdale recognized the legendary Rainboom and if they didn’t they were informed by the ever present gossip. I can add one and one. Rainboom and mysterious request from her majesty the same day? There are no coincidences.”
Cadance looked at him with mixed fear and respect. Was this all so obvious?
“Do you have any information about the pony that was responsible for the Rainboom?”
“Unfortunately no. All I know is that RIA Hub in Cloudsdale is in high alert. That they started disinformation propaganda by spreading self contradictory information’s.”
“What kind of information’s are those?”
“All sort of speculations about the incident. From a accident in the rainbow factory, through Griffon provocation, to claims that some filly did it like that would be possible, right Royal Foalsitter?”
Fancypants smiled and looked deep into Princess eyes.
“To legitimize those information’s they Closed Rainbow Factory for Occupational Health and Safety investigation, locked down junior flight camp and presented official note in local Griffon Kingdome Consulate. Standard cover smoke operation if you ask me. That’s all I know for now.”
The Cloudsdale Royal Foalsitter department was working fast end effectively to cover the Rainboom origin. Now was time to take part in the search. Thought Cadance but to do that she needed to contact Storm Chaser the head of Royal Intelligence hub in Cloudsdale.
“Thank you Fancypants for your assistance and offer but I think I will manage on my own from now. If I will need your … expertise I will contact you.” Said Cadance firmly.
Fancypants wanted to say something but the young princess interrupted him.
“If you might now escort me to the RIA hub I would appreciate it.”
Fancypants smiled and bowed.“As you wish.”
Fancypants placed some bits on the table and went outside followed by Cadance.
Cadance knew that Cloudsdale RIA Hub was placed in the building of Cloudsdale Weekly newspaper, she had never been in that place so having a pony who know the fastest road there was better than asking ponies around. Furthermore Cadance had more time to admire the Cloudsdale while trotting next to Fancypants. The Young Princess visited Cloudsdale in the past but those were short visits with her Aunt and she never had the pleasure of spending any time to explore the cloud city. Cadance was surprised to pass many pegasi that trotted on the cloud made streets of the city rather than to fly.
After ten minutes of trot Fancypants stopped at a corner and pointed at a small building hovering on a independent cloud. The cloud and the building were connected to the city by a cloud bridge like a ship docked to pier.
“That’s Cloudsdale Weekly building. Unofficially RIA hub in Cloudsdale. Have fun Princess. If you get in trouble or will need my advice I’m at your service. You can find me in Rich's Barnyard Bargains Building. Ask for Spell Able. That is my official cover in Cloudsdale. Good luck Cadance.”
“Thank y….”
In that very moment the Cloudsdale Weekly building exploded.
Explosion was so bit that the shockwave throw Cadance and Fancypants into the nearby building. The enforced cloud wall didn’t absorb the strength of the impact leaving both Princess and the spy incapacitated.
Cadance opened her eyes to a terrible view of fire and destruction. How a cloud building could burn she didn’t know but in all windows and on the roof there were green flames devouring the walls and everything that was inside.
Somepony yanked Cadance back on her hooves. Cadance couldn’t take her eyes from a window where she thought to see a pony engulfed in flames.
“Are you alright. Cadance! Look at me! Cadance are you alright!”
*slap*
Cadance awoken from stupor.
“Fancypants what…”
“Not now! We have to get away from here. I think you will need me after all.”
Fancypants dragged her away from the building.
