L.I.P: Rarity's Little Scout

Chapters

A New Mission
Inspiration!
Everything Doesn't Go As Expected

A New Mission

We flew. The sky was tinted red with the rising sun of late summer. Clouds dotted the heavens, sparse but very present in the morning air. A dusty desert spread in almost all directions, save for one. Off in our heading, breaking the horizon, no more than twenty miles away now was the skyline of Fillydelphia. I coordinated my team of six as we banked slightly to adjust our heading for the outskirts of the city. We had only one job to do in Fillydelphia. They told us to make it brief, and head for our next destination with as much haste as possible. Our job was to read the weather.

“What’s the atmosphere reading, Smoke?” I turned to my second in command, Smokeshade, who was evaluating the barometer measurements on his utility barding. There was a strong turbulence, rocking us from position and forcing us to lower our altitude. Smoke took position next to me, the rest of my team falling behind in a V formation.

“The meter reads 1520 mmHg, sir.” The atmospheric pressure was just resting on the Equestrian standard. The rest of my team was giving me reports of similar good readings. Moisture level was suitable for current biome setting. The current weather conditions were right on schedule with the Central Weather Calendar. All readings checked out with climate setting, and were consistent with all Urban Climate Standards. The pegasi on the Fillydelphia Weather Team were surely taking care of business in their area. It was always a relief to bring back at least some good news to headquarters.

“Fly into the city, we need to chat to the head mare of FiW Team about her schedule for the next month. From there, we head back to Canterlot to give our reports to Sir Valiantwing at HQ. Are we clear?”

“Eye-eye, Scout!” My team replied in unison as we turned into the heart of the city. Ponies below us looked skyward, their faces full of elation as we flew by, some of them stopping to wave at us from their position below. Youthful pegasi looked up at us with passing desire, some even daring to fly below us, struggling to keep up, only to fall behind in inspired wonder and amazement. Everypony knew who we were. Pegasi envy us, wishing they were in our position.

We were the Gods of Weather.

We were the Storm Scouts.

Our day had started bright and early, before the crack of dawn. We were stationed in Ponyville, prepared to speak with the head of the Ponyville Weather Team as soon as the sun broke the horizon. The head mare of the PoW Team was never happy to see us, as she was always our first stopping place every morning for our monthly weather reports. She was an interesting character, a light blue pegasus with a rainbow colored mane and tail. She was not the head mare best known for doing her job punctually. We constantly had to intervene with the weather in Ponyville every time something went haywire, which was often. She met us this morning, obviously quite irritable due to the early morning hours. She was short with us, and tried to explain that everything was fine and on schedule in accordance to the C.W.C. I questioned the Head Stallion’s motives for placing her in charge of the PoW Team, but he never gave me a direct answer as to why exactly.

From there we had already visited and spoken to the head mares of Las Pegasus, Manehattan, and Seaddle, and Fillydelphia was our final destination before heading to back to the HQ, where the information we gathered would be sent to Cloudsdale, so they could then prepare the necessary weather needed to fulfill the requirements of every corner of Equestria. It wasn’t an easy job, but it was a job that my team and I performed well. You don’t get the nickname Wayward Scout for performing an adequate job.

We met the head mare of the FiW team outside of city hall. We landed on the marble steps leading to the main entrance to the whitewashed stone building. The sun was fully visible and no longer touching the horizon. Tall buildings surrounded the yard in front of the capital political center of Fillydephia. We approached a pony wearing Weather Team utility barding, emblazoned with a crest indicating her status as the head mare of FiW. The pegasus, a light pink mare with a red mane, gave us a curt bow of respect as we proceeded toward her.

“Scout, nice to see you and your team again. I trust you found the weather to be in order. Our monthly storm schedule has been refined to a tee in accordance to the U.C.S. and the C.W.C. schedule.” She smiled briefly, obviously proud of her accomplishments; She was new to her position, having been in charge only two months. Her first month had taken a toll on her, but she pulled through with much enthusiasm. She had learned from those mistakes, and made sure she would never make them again. She was a hard working pegasus, and a much more likeable of a mare than Miss Dash of PoW. She stood firm and tall, awaiting my approval.

“At ease, you have done well and learned much this last month. My coordinator will now give you scheduling for the next month based on readings taken this morning. Keep up the good work.” The slightly younger pegasus eased considerably, and patiently awaited the results to be created on the spot of weather preparation for the next month. My third ranking officer gave her the printed calendar, and returned to position. I gave her a nod, and a salute, and we were off into the sky. We banked to the North, and acclimated to make the return trip to headquarters.

I was in more than high spirits. I was in for a promotion soon, and there wasn’t much left to promote from my current position. With hope, I might be put on Valiantwing’s right side, as his personal advisor. He told me to come to his office as soon as we had finished and made it back to Canterlot. This was definitely a reason to celebrate.

“Good work, soldiers. Tonight, a round of cider for everypony!”

My team gave a celebratory cheer. Within an hour, we would be home, and we would get the rest we deserved. We flew with the sun to our right and Canterlot in our sights.

We touched down in Canterlot, coming to a stop on the landing platform on the roof of the Storm Scout headquarters. The team stretched their wings, and made their way to the entrance that leads to the barracks. My wings ached as well from almost six hours of almost straight flying, but it was a feeling I was used to. I didn’t need to rest, not yet at least. I had more important business to take care of at the moment.

I headed the other direction, toward the entrance to the office section of the stark white building. I walked down the steps, and into the hallway. Doors lined the walls, leading to various office spaces where white-saddle ponies pushed pencils and did other meaningless tasks. The walls themselves were painted sky blue, and were magically enchanted to display the positions of the sun, moon, and every cloud on the Equestrian horizon.

At the end of the hall stood the entrance to the office of the head stallion. I pushed open the double mahogany doors and stepped into his circular shaped office. I looked up at the domed glass ceiling; the sun was hanging just overhead. Pegasi were going about their daily business, coming into view above the office every now and again. Canterlot was surely the most beautiful places to live in Equestria in terms of weather. After all, I was in charge of the CaW team.

Valiantwing was sitting at his desk in the middle of the office, leaning over some paperwork. He was an old, greying stallion with a short cropped mane and tail. His coat was a striking shade of bright blue. His cutie mark, though hidden behind his desk at the time, was an insignia of two black wings on a white cloud. The insignia of the Storm Scouts. I knew it well, as it was emblazoned on my flank as well.

The Storm Scouts were so selective that the only pegasi who made it in had it in their special talent. Pegasi sought the position so persistently, that a select few young fillies and colts would get the very insignia branded on them forever. It was every young pegasus’s dream to be a Storm Scout, but only a select few were chosen by destiny to join our ranks. Every one of my team had the crest on their flank.

Valiantwing looked up from his work at me. I gave him a salute of respect. He waved a hoof at me, in signal for me to relax.

“Sit down, you’ve done well today, Aero.” I took a seat in a chair in front of the desk. He was one of the very few ponies who still called me by my real name. Aero Rightwing. Even my name tag on my utility barding read my nickname, Wayward Scout.
“We have very important business to discuss… Firstly, your reports from the civilian Weather Teams.”

“Sir, all head mares gave good readings and reports, the four corners of Equestria are in ship-shape in both climate and weather. They have all received schedules for next month. My team will be sending weather import requests to Cloudsdale later today. Cranberry has improved greatly from last month, sir.”

“Very good, and how has Miss Dash been holding up with the PoW team?”

“Sir, with all due respect, there are surely more qualified ponies to run the Ponyville sector. We can send somepony over there from Cloudsdale, with much more experience and work ethic.”

“That’s not what I asked, Aero.”

I bit my lip, “She is doing well, no reports of any problems this month.” Other than the head mare being an ungrateful little…

“Very well. Now, to discuss your current position…” I perked up a little in my seat. This is the moment I had been waiting for all day.

“You know I’ve valued your work and your opinion ever since you joined us those few years ago. You are still young, but you have proven yourself to be the most mature and able pegasus on the team.” I was beaming with pride. I was the youngest stallion ever to become head of the Storm Scouts. “That being said, I wish for you to maintain your position as head of the team.”

I sagged in my seat. That was not the news I had expected to hear. I tried not to let my disappointment show on my face.

“Sir…”

“That being said, I have a special mission for you… If you complete this mission to my liking, you will be in line for a position upgrade in the near future.” That was slightly better news. I wonder what kind of mission he had planned for me. What corner of Equestria would this assignment find me? I was a little bit excited at that moment in apprehension for what lay ahead.

“We have been using the same barding for generations, and I believe it is time we make an upgrade, don’t you agree?” Yes. My barding was wind torn and battered and in extreme disrepair. It seemed like he was getting off topic. “I’ve hired an expert designer and tailor from Ponyville to make us new uniforms. She will be arriving in Canterlot in three days to begin designing.

I want you to assist her in the making and fitting of the barding. You will be her design model. Make sure it has all the necessary equipment and aerodynamic requirements needed to be optimally suited for field use. You will have to show it to the safety department for approval. Are we clear?”

The elation I had when I walked into the office had been ultimately obliterated. I felt like I had deserved way more credit than I was being given. “Yes… sir.”

“This is very important, do you understand me? I want this to go as smoothly as possible, and I trust you to get the job done.”

I gave him a mute nod, and rose from my seat. I turned and walked out the double doors, which closed behind me. I leaned against the wall outside his office, and gave a deep sigh. I had been defeated. It’s a good thing nopony was in the hallway with me. I didn’t want anypony to see me in my currently frustrated state. I should have gotten that promotion on the spot. I deserved it. But Valiantwing thought otherwise. He knew best. All I had to do now was comply with his wishes. I righted myself and walked down to the end of the hall.

I met the rest of the team in the barracks. I walked in the doorway, and suddenly all eyes were on me. They let out a huge uproar. They all knew what I had initially gone into the office for. Their cheering subsided when they saw the look of frustration on my face. The room was silent as I walked to my bunk. Their eyes never left me as I walked by each and every one of them. I didn’t want to have to bear the questioning that would later come from my comrades. Smokeshade came to my bed and sat down next to me. He was silent for a moment.

“Hey bud, what happened in there?” Smoke was my best friend, and definitely my favorite of the Storm Scouts. He was older than me, but ever since joining the team, he had taken care of me, almost like a bigger brother. While all the others in the team had seen me as the snot nosed brat who had just gotten lucky, he had made sure I never fell behind. He was the reason I had made it so far. He knew what I had in me, and brought me to be the best I could be. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have had the drive to become the most famous weather pony in Equestria. His dark grey hoof rested on my left shoulder, waiting patiently for me to be ready to speak.

I was staring at the floor. I was weak with disappointment. The team had seen me at my best, and my worse, and had never lost confidence in me ever since I had become their leader. I never let my emotions show, tried to never let a hint of doubt cross my face. I was too strong, I had to keep my resolve at all times, or people would lose faith in me. I had worked all my life to be where I am, and didn’t want anything to compromise it.

“I didn’t get the promotion.” He patted me on the back with his hoof. “He said that I should stay where I’m at for the time being. He wants me to go on a… special mission. To prove I’m ready to move up in the ranks.”

“Well hey! That sounds exciting! What kind of special mission has he got planned for you? I bet it’s gonna be something really important and dangerous.” He could read me so well. He was trying to raise my spirits. Anypony else would have thought I was just talking as casually as I would about the weather. (a phrase that doesn’t really apply to the Storm Scouts, we tend to talk pretty serious about it) But he saw through my monotonous speech, and saw my genuine disappointment.

“He wants me to help with the new utility barding design…” I could just imagine standing still for some frou-frou pony for hours while she measured me and draped cloth on me. It was humiliating. Anything else and I would be fine. But this is just… “I have to be a model for the ponies in the safety department. I’ll be working with some fashion designer from Ponyville.”

“Well… I can’t sugar coat it. That sucks man.” He let out a laugh, and his wings flared out. I couldn’t help but let out a laugh as well at the absurdity of the assignment. He rose from my bunk, and motioned for me to get up too. “We should still celebrate. We performed an awesome job today. How ‘bout I take the team out for some free drinks?” That was really what I needed right now. I got up and we gathered the rest of the team.

Nothing helped drown out disappointment like a tall glass of apple cider with your favorite people in the world.Parties always helped a pony get into a better mood. I was in a little bit of a better mood as we flew to the closest bar in Canterlot. We were greeted warmly. Everypony in Canterlot knew who the Storm Scouts were. Everypony in Canterlot knew who the Wayward Scout was. I didn’t have anything to worry about.

After all, I was the fastest flyer in all of Equestria.

Inspiration!

Well, here I was. Three days later. I made my way into the boutique that I would practically be living in for the next week or so. Maybe longer. How long does it take an expert designer to make high tech utility barding? I didn’t want to think about it. This is going to be the longest, most tedious and gut-wrenching mission ever. Valientwing really was pushing my buttons a little bit.

The floor was carpeted, a deep blue spread, touching the four white walls of the boutique main foyer. Hanging from the walls were various pictures, all of ponies dressed in tight, suffocating dresses and suits, looking fierce, dangerous, and really really uncomfortable. Tacky music was playing through the stereo system built into the really high ceiling. Air conditioning chilled the cold room, and a light perfume smell was present in the atmosphere. I started to feel nauseous. The smell and the colors were giving me a headache.

At the end of the foyer was a reception desk. An uptight looking socialite mare was sitting behind the desk, stereotypically filing her hooves. She was wearing her mane up in a really strange way, bundled up, and sticking out in seemingly random places. Her eyelashes were fake; she was wearing too much makeup. She looked like she had been starving herself. She glanced up at me, and didn’t say anything. I gave her a judgmental look, and then cleared my throat.

“Hi. I’m here to see…” I looked at the piece of paper I was given, with the address of this place, and the name of my client. “Rarity..? About the Storm Scouts utility barding.” She rolled her eyes, and put down her hoof-file.

“Through the left doors, down the hall, third dressing room on the right.” She didn’t even look up at me as she motioned through the directions with her hooves. She kept the same bored expression on her face, and then returned to her filing. I grunted, and headed through the doors into the hallway to hell.

The hallway was full of more pictures of dresses, and display cases with various clothing lines and different cloths. More stupid music. More perfume. Living in Canterlot, I had to put up with a lot of stuck up, high class ponies in my daily life. They definitely weren’t my favorite ponies to be around. Always worrying about image and money, and not seeing the big picture of things. I had lived here for most of my life and I still didn’t understand them.

I reached the dressing room, and sighed, preparing myself for the horrors within. I gathered my thoughts, and pushed the door open with my hooves, walking into a room filled with color. It was a circular room, with various fashion items against every surface of the walls. Stands for rolling cloth, thread spools, boxes upon boxes filled with who knows what, and more glitter than anypony would ever need in three lifetimes. There were parts, too… mechanical parts, machinery, gauges, blades and cogs. In one corner of the room stood various ponnequins, positioned on holsters, assumedly used for fitting to various body formations. In the middle of the room, there was a pedestal, with spotlights from the ceiling trained on its position.

There didn’t seem to be anypony in here. I turned to walk out, when the door swung open, hitting me in the face. I collapsed on the floor, dazed and disoriented. Two white ponies stood above me, looking concerned. My vision cleared, and came into focus. Two blue eyes looked down at me, instead of four.

“Oh, I’m ever so sorry, here let me help you up.” She sheepishly offered to get me to my hooves. I stood up on my own, and turned to face her. She was a unicorn, with a white coat, and an extremely fancy looking purple mane. She was a lot fuller bodied than a lot of the other frou frou ponies I had seen from around town. If I didn’t know any better, I would say she was somewhat of an attractive mare.

“I came here to help in the preparation of the Storm Scout utility barding. I am here to act as a model, and help with the functions and uses that are required in the Storm Scout uniform.” I recited my mission to the unicorn, she gave a small smile.

“Ah! You must be Mr. Scout! Please to meet you, I’m Rarity, but you can call me Miss, or Miss Rarity, if you like.” She offered her hoof. I turned away from her and looked once more at my surroundings. I wasn’t one to have much problems with claustrophobia, but the room made we want to get the hell out of the building.

She made a sound of disapproval behind me. I turned towards her once more.

“Listen, I would give anything to be anywhere but here right now. I’m going to be completely honest with you. I just want to get this over with. So let’s get to work so we can go on with our lives.”

“Very well then, I bet you I can have the design done by the end of the week if we work at it diligently. Let’s get started then, shall we? Now, I have some color choices for you to choose from. Pick the one you think best fits your teams, style, so to speak.”

She offered me various cloths, all of a different color. They all were very bright, and made of soft cotton. There were so many things wrong with all these choices, and I voiced this to my high society client.

“None of these. The Storm Scouts standard uniform color is gunmetal gray. The fabric needs to be something more durable, something that can withstand high wind speeds and moisture, as well as heat and extreme cold.” She started thinking to herself.

“I don’t have anything like that, but I suppose I can get some synthetics from the Canterlot market. But first, I think it would be best if I could get your measurements, if I may.” She gestured me over to the pedestal. I sighed in annoyance, and abided by her wishes. Stepping onto the pedestal, I took a look at myself in the mirror on the side of the podium. My bright red coat was illuminated by the multiple lights shining on me, giving my dark grey mane a bright sheen. I wasn’t a small pegasus, I was very strongly built. Rarity went over to one of the shelves, and started rummaging through the various yarns and other things. She returned minutes later with a long roll of measuring tape, and a clipboard and pencil. She began writing some notes down.

She started with my wings. Stretching them out to their full length, she measured them out individually, jotting down the results on her paper. She then went on to my height, neck length and width, body length, and the length of each of my legs. I stood there, lost in my own thoughts, not acknowledging her and her business. She yanked, rather hard, on my tail, attempting to measure it at full length.

I gave out a growl, “Hey! Watch the tail!”

“Sorry, dear. Oh my! Your tail is filthy! It’s covered with dust!” Yeah, working hard does tend to leave some dirt in you mane. Nothing you would ever know about.

She galloped over to one of the walls, and pulled a lever down with her teeth. I heard a gurgling sound coming from above me. I turned toward the ceiling, and noticed a shower head hanging from the rafters.

Oh, Celestia…

Cold water washed over me, and ran down a drain built into the rim of the pedestal. It only lasted briefly, but it left me soaking wet. I shivered slightly. But then a huge fan behind me blew all of the moisture off of my coat. I stood there, still and shocked over what had just happened.

“What the hell was that!?” Anger burned in my expression. She looked apathetic as she walked back over to me to continue the measuring.

“Sorry, dear, but you can’t work with me if you’re going to be covered in dirt all the time.” She went around to my flank, and started measuring out my thigh width. I felt a little uncomfortable with her touching me there. I started shuffling around on the stand.

“Oh, come now, you act like a mare has never touched you.” The truth was, I had, but it was a love lost a long time ago. I just snorted at her. She rolled up the measuring tape and walked to the door.

“I’ll be back. I’m going to the Marketplace to get some cloth; you wait here and make yourself useful. Clean up this mess a little, if you would please.” Oh no! There was no way I’m doing her dirty work for her.

She walked out, and I was left in the silent room. I groaned in frustration. This was going to be a long, long week.

The next day was even worse than the last. Rarity brought an assistant, to help with the pincushioning and other getting her materials. It was… a dragon. A baby dragon. She called him “her little Spikey-Wikey” and literally used him as her own personal pincushion. He was clearly infatuated with the mare, staring at her with a kind of longing in his eyes. I enjoyed the dragons company much more than the company of Rarity. Me and Spike, as he told me he was called, actually had real conversations. He was funny, but I wondered why he was pining over such an abrasive mare.

Three days had gone by; we had gotten very little done. We kept arguing about every little detail. For a high society pony, Rarity was really akin to using foul language with me. One day, we were disputing over a hem on the back end of the vest, when she screamed at me, something about being the most frustrating pegasus she has ever worked with, and stormed out of the room. Spike just shrugged and looked at me like I had it coming, and walked over to the side of the room.

As much as I didn’t want to talk to her, I decided that my job with the Storm Scouts was probably resting on getting this done. I sighed, and walked through the door after her.

She was standing in the hallway, looking at the pictures on the walls. I wished so much that I could just walk out of there, and leave the horrible building forever. I knew I couldn’t, and instead walked up to her. She didn’t notice my presence. I gave a low grumble and she turned to face me. She had a sour look on her face. I shuffled my hooves on the carpet.

“Listen, I’m sorry for being so difficult. You are the expert here. I should just let you do your work.” This was truly the most uncomfortable moment ever.

“No… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to act so unladylike back there. Let’s get this done. I think I know what you need…”

She started walking toward the exit of the boutique, and motioned for me to follow. I tried to question her, but due to her stubbornness, knew that it was probably pointless. We walked outside into the sunny afternoon air. Canterlot shone in the sun, brightly illuminating the whitewashed buildings, and casting dark shadows on the streets. It was the kind of day where young fillies and colts played in the streets, ponies walked along the roadways, and everybody in town was enjoying the sunshine.

The Storm Scouts were doing their job in my absence, with Smokeshade heading operations. My team was fully capable, and didn’t need me for running the local weather smoothly. I missed my job, even though I’ve only been gone for three days, and would give anything to be able to sleep in my comfy bunk in the barracks. I was spending the nights on a cot in the dressing room. I found it somewhat creepy to be staying in a room filled with so much glitter and color.

Rarity walked down to the end of the block and turned into a spa. Oh no… You can’t make me go in there!

She walked out and motioned me inside with her hoof. I stood there, incredulously, not wanting to take another step. She ran up to me and grabbed my hooves. For such a prissy mare, she was surprisingly strong. I objected, but soon gave up as I felt that she wasn’t going to give up anytime soon.

I was dragged into the spa by my captor. Two spa mares came up to us.

“Greetings, would you like your usual treatment, Miss Rarity?” I recall Valiantwing saying that she was out of town. From Ponyville, to be exact. How could she have a usual? How often did she come to Canterlot, anyways?

“Yes, darlings, that would be great. And give my disagreeable stallion friend here the Deluxe Pegasus Treatment.”

“Why are we here?” I whispered to her as the mares lead us down the hall. I felt my feelings of discomfort increase with every hoofstep.

“I always get my inspiration when I visit the spa. Maybe what we both need is some relaxation, and maybe a little pampering will get us on the same track.” I was beginning to hate this unicorn more and more. I wanted to turn and run, but for some reason I also wanted to humor Rarity.

We were lead into a small room, where there were two cushioned massage tables. The shorter of the two spa ponies motioned me unto the far table. I groaned, and gave in. Lying on the table, face down, I felt embarrassed and awkward. She began rubbing her hooves on my shoulders.

Looking back on this moment, I realized that it truly was extremely relieving. I didn’t want them to think I was enjoying it, though. I kept silent, and accepted my fate. I hoped that none of the other Storm Scouts ever hears about this.

Rarity was adjacent to me, make sounds of pleasure and comfort from the message she was receiving. She seemed to be milking it a little bit. My attendee reached the base of my wings, and began applying pressure to the joints. She dug deep into them, relieving a lot of tension with her elbows.

“Wow, guy. You got some crazy knots in your wings. What, have you been flying for three days straight?” No, I was working with the worst client of my life for three days straight.

Rarity popped up from her table, and made a really strange exasperated sound.

“That’s it!”

She stood from the table, threw some money at the two spa mares, and ran out the door. I smiled apologetically to them, and chased after her.

I made my way towards the boutique. When I entered the dressing room, I found a huge mess before me. Cloths and machine parts were scattered all over the place, things were knocked over, and papers were being blown around. On the pedestal stood an easel, with a single picture on the huge lined paper. Rarity was staring at it, obviously proud of her work. To her right was a pile of parts and material.

The picture, on closer inspection, was something that looked like it might have been invented in some weird scientist’s cyborg lab in a science fiction novel. It was a pony, a pegasus, that bore a striking resemblance to me. His wings were incased in… metal. The barding was made out of what was supposed to be some sort of synthetic, judging by the fact that there was a single square of it stapled to the ponies chest. The pegasus was also wearing a headset, with gages and other things to the side of the eyes, and a microphone. Little notes were scribbled all around the drawing, with things like “magic” with arrows pointed to the wings and headset.

“Uh, what is all this? It looks… impressive.” She turned to look at me. Her mane was slightly frazzled, and she was breathing heavily.

“Don’t you get it? The Storm Scouts fly all over Equestria! They fly so often, their wings get worked up, and have a much higher chance at getting arthritis later on in life.” I could only assume she knew all of this because, as a fashion designer, she had to know a lot about anatomy, the shape and build of the pony body.

“When Miss Prim mentioned your worked up wings, I suddenly was hit with inspiration! We could infuse the barding with magic, allowing you to fly without putting so much strain on your wings! Also, on the way here, I got the idea of using magic to make a headset, so you can look at all the information you need, while still being able to fly properly. It comes with a microphone, so you can communicate with all the other members of your team over the wind.” Okay, I had no idea where she learned so much about magic and mechanics. But her ideas… they were finally something I could get into.

“I’ll need a friend to help me with the spells, though. Luckily, I know just the pony for the job!”

“This is… amazing.” I looked over the designs once more, and felt somewhat relieved that this was finally getting somewhere.
She wrote down a letter, and ran out the door. She reappeared seconds later, with an excited look on her face.

“Alright, let’s get to work. I want to have everything built and sewn before Twilight gets here.” Spike, who was watching the whole commotion, got an excited look on his face. He instantly started to clean up the mess Rarity had made.

“I can’t believe Twilight is coming! I missed her so much!” He blushed, “That is, I’m glad I could help you out, Rarity. I wouldn’t miss being your assistant for anything!”

I had a ton of questions, but she began working instantly, too preoccupied to listen.

I just let her do her work. I didn’t want her to get frustrated again when we were finally getting somewhere.

Everything Doesn't Go As Expected

Rarity had it built within a day and a half. The dark metal casings fit snuggly on my wings, but were surprisingly comfortable and easy to put on and get off. The barding was made of a much stronger material than our old vests, and had metal plating for protection. The headset looked kind of ridiculous, but would be very beneficial when we were flying at high altitudes with heavy wind and who knows what other kind of weather.

Spike was polishing the armor when suddenly there was a knock on the door. Rarity, who was welding something in the corner, turned around to see who the visitor was.

In walked a lavender unicorn mare. She had purple hair with highlights, and a rather pronounced forehead. Spike ran up to the newcomer and wrapped his arms around her. Rarity came to greet her warmly.

“Welcome, Twilight. I hope it wasn’t too much trouble to come all the way up to Canterlot, but I could really use your help.”
Twilight saw me, and gave a sheepish smile. I nodded in acknowledgement. She turned back to Rarity.

“It was no trouble at all, Rarity. I had some business that I had to care of hear in town anyways. I have to keep up with Shining Armor every once and a while, you know.” She smirked, and Rarity laughed. What was this unicorn’s relation to Shining Armor? The royal guards and the Storm Scouts were very friendly with each other, as we were both in charge of the safety of Equestria. I knew Shining Armor quite well.

The lavender mare came up to me, and offered her hoof in greeting, “Hello, my name is Twilight Sparkle. Whom do I have the pleasure of making my acquaintance today?”

“Scout, Wayward Scout. You are the magician Rarity requested to enchant the barding?” She nodded.

“Shouldn’t be a problem. Just a few controlled levitation spells, and a telecommunication spell for the head piece, as well as some airlock spells for storm protection. I’ll have it ready in a snap.”

Rarity interjected, “Um, Twilight, a teensy problem. We also have to make and enchant five more of them after we get this one approved by the safety administration at the Storm Scouts’ base.”

My turn to speak. “That won’t be necessary. After we get it approved, our designers will be able to recreate the rest of them to the specifications of the original. So long as you inform them of the specific enchantments you administer.”

“Great, then let’s get to work. Mr. Scout, I would appreciate it if you would please put on the suit. It will be a lot easier to enchant if it is being worn by the pony that will be using it regularly.” Her horn began to glow in preparation. I put on the suit and the barding, and she began administering spells to the armor. It was a strange sensation, like an abnormal heat washing over my body.

Rarity and I were standing in the hallway of the office building of the Storm Scouts, just outside the door to the safety department. Rarity was pacing back and forth, going over her lines quite loudly. I waited impatiently for them to allow us to enter.

We had tested the armor the day before, and it had performed optimally. I felt myself able to fly in any given direction without even flapping my wings so much as once every few minutes. I was able to control everything fine and the headset I had used to talk to Rarity on the ground had sent and received messages loud and clear. As a bonus, the display also monitored things like altitude, air pressure, wind speed, and velocity.

I was starting to get a little annoyed with her, so I turned to her and grunted loudly.

“Would you give it a rest for just a few minutes?”

“Oh, pardon me for wanting this to go perfectly. Do you even realize what this could do for my career?” She gave me an overly dramatic look, then continued pacing.

“Don’t get your saddlebags in a twist, everything will be fine. You’re forgetting, I’m the Wayward Scout.”
She rolled her eyes, “Why don’t you go tie a knot somewhere, little Buck Scout.”

“Get off your high horse. You’re just like every other Canterlot noble, you think you’re better than every other pony because you have money, you don’t know how to get their hooves dirty, and you care too much about your precious clothing.”
If I wasn’t going to be her model, I think she might’ve brohoofed my face. She gave me an evil stare down, and opened her mouth, about to shout more obscenities at me just as the door opened. A pale yellow pony walked out.

“Mr. Scout, we’re ready to see you.” She walked right past me, whipping me in the face with her tail. I grumbled, and walked in after her.

We were in a whitewashed room, the floors slick and smooth, glowing under the fluorescent lights. At one end of the room, there was a long table where the counselors of the Storm Scout safety administration sat, watching us come into the middle of the floor before them. Rarity gave out a small squeak sound as the stallion in the middle of the table, an old orange pegasus, leaned over and started writing down something on his notepad. She looked toward me, with wide, nervous eyes. I kicked on the suits enchantments. A warm sensation came over me once more as I felt the magic envelope the barding.

“Well, Miss Rarity, We’re waiting.” The head stallion’s eyes rested on me, looking over the contraption that fit my body like a second skin. I have to hand it to Rarity; she really did know how to use her hooves when it came to finer things like sewing and fitting.

She cleared her throat.

“Hello, Gentlecolts. What stands before you is the epitome of weather control technology. Why have a simple pony running the weather, when you can make a pegasus into a well-oiled machine. This suit will change the history of weather control for Equestria for years to come.” She was making really dramatic hand gestures, and all in all milking it a little bit.

“The suit itself is made of strong synthetic silk, strong enough to resist moisture, wind, and intense heat. It is also designed to stay cool and not to cause any drag. The wing sleeves are made of simple aluminum, but I think you’ll find their more than just for show. With the help of magical unicorn enchantments, the Storm Scouts will be able to fly gracefully, without doing damage to their bodies with the prolonged strain of constantly flapping the wings. As my assistant will now demonstrate.”
I lifted into the air, without the power of my wings, and hung there for a good 10 seconds before returning to the ground. Everypony in the room began jotting notes, but kept silent. I nodded to Rarity, and she continued.

“Not only will they be able to fly smoothly in any kind of conditions, the Storm Scouts will now have a heads up display of all the information they need, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, as well as anything else required for the job. The headsets also come with built in magic telecommunications, so the pegasi will be able to talk over the wind without having to shout, or break formation.”

She had finished her speech. The room was silent for an uncomfortable amount of time. The headstallion leaned back in his chair, and it creaked, breaking the thick silence.

“Thank you Miss Rarity. Escort them out of here, will you, Dijon?” The pegasus who led us in forced us out of the conference room, and back into the hallway. Rarity walked slowly next to me. Her lower jaw was hanging open. She just stared blankly ahead of her. It wasn’t exactly the reaction I was expecting from the safety ponies either, but I knew that it was her fault for milking it so much. She just walked out the door, and headed down the hall to the exit.

We walked into the dressing room back at the boutique. Spike had gone out for some reason, and Twilight was gone as well. Rarity slammed the door behind her she cantered up to me, and pressed her face close into mine, with pure rage in her
eyes.

“How could you let that happen!?”

“Me! You’re the one who milked it and made it into a bucking fashion show!” There was NO way she was going to blame this on me!

“Oh, no! If you hadn’t been so stoic and actually made it a performance, we would have had it in the bag!”

“You know, why don’t you just go back to Ponyville, and be where at least somepony doesn’t believe you’re nothing more than a pampered bitch!”

She stopped, and closed her mouth shut.

“What say, we go our separate ways before one of us does something they will regret.” She spoke through closed teeth.

“I think you’ll do something you regret first.” My voice had become a low growl.

“On the contrary, I believe it shall most certainly be YOU who will do something YOU will regret.” Her hot breath was blowing into my face, and I nickered loudly.

“I’m not doing anything.”

“Nor am I!”

She stared at me, her pupils no more than pinpoints. I waited for what was coming for me, waited for her hoof to connect with my face. What met me instead was something I was completely caught off guard from.

Rarity’s lips pressed against mine, and her hooves came up to wrap around my back. I stumbled backward, completely startled by the action. She broke away, and looked at me, breathing heavily. Not what I had expected. I didn’t think, my mind didn’t let me. I leaned forward and connected my muzzle with hers, as she reared back on her hind hooves. I pushed toward the edge of the room, with a hard thump as her backside connected with the wall. She let out a really strange breathing noise in ecstasy.

I couldn’t stop myself; I was overpowered by instinct and anger. I wrapped my forelegs around her waist, and pulled her in close to my body. Her whole underbelly was warm, almost hot to the touch, I could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She was making light moaning sounds through our connected mouths. She rested her hooves on my flanks, and started pulling my pelvis closer to hers.

She suddenly broke away, pulling her lips away from mine, and landed on her hooves. She walked passed me and whipped my backside with her tail. I followed after her. When I came within range of the podium I had spent too many hours standing on, she pushed me with her forelegs onto my back, sprawled on the stand. She walked over to the door, seductively shaking her flanks. She locked the bolt on the door with her teeth, and walked back over to me, with a kind of angry/aroused look on her face.

Eyup, this wasn’t exactly going where I had originally thought.