Equestria Assaulted

Celestia, ruling Princess of Equestria, alicorn goddess of the day, struck the table in front of her with her hoof. While not necessary, as the ten ponies encircling the table were completely and totally intent on her, it was tradition to call such a meeting to order with a strike of the hoof.

“Just yesterday, my friends, an attempt was made on my life by a group of changelings. Each and every one of you was there as well, and equally at risk. All of Equestria was at risk. All of Equestria remains at risk.” Celestia's face was somber. Luna's was just as dismayed, and Princess Cadance was visibly close to tears. Her husband, Shining Armor, couldn't blame her. Twilight Sparkle and her friends were blank-faced. Sparkchaser frowned. The changelings had gotten bold, indeed. No longer content to hide, surviving in Equestria's fringes, Chrysalis had instilled a drive in her brood. With Celestia, Luna, and Cadance gone, the changelings could feast freely, and Chrysalis was hellbent on forcing that nightmarish end.

“This latest defeat,” Celestia continued, “was quite a setback for Chrysalis. It may be a few weeks before she can attempt another strike, or worse.” The gathering shivered. Some time ago, the changelings had surrounded Hoofington, laying siege to the city. Celestia herself had saved the town, routing the Changelings. Cadance and Shining Armor had returned from their honeymoon shortly after, and thus Canterlot was protected from further changeling invasion, but they had already infiltrated the capital by the scores. Celestia cursed her naivety.

“Firstly, my little ponies, I must apologize to all of you. Had I realized that Chrysalis would return, that her grandiose plan on Cadenza's wedding day was only the beginning, I would never have let them go, and Canterlot would never have been at risk. Hoofington wouldn't have had to endure for several days. I blame myself. Thank you, Shining Armor. Forcing the changelings out of Canterlot with an enclosing force field was brilliant and heroic. You held the lives of everypony in Equestria in your hooves, and you did not disappoint. Though Canterlot is safe, we must be vigilant. If a single whisper of Chrysalis's return reaches your ears, come to me.” Celestia's faith in her friends showed on her face as she sat down, looking drained. Beside her, Luna rose to her hooves.

“Sister, thank you. Were it not for your incredibly rapid actions, there would not have been anypony to save yesterday.” Luna nodded her head respectfully. “Now, my friends, I must leave you. Celestia and I have decided that I will stay in Vanhoofer, our northernmost city, to monitor the borders. The skilled mare cartographers will help me in my task.” Luna turned, leaving the room, then looked back. “Good luck, my little ponies.”

Twilight stood up, clearly intending to talk, but Rainbow Dash flapped her wings impatiently.

“Princess, I move we take the fight to the changelings! Round up some more unicorns, a few pegasi fighters, and thrash Chrysalis's sorry flank!” Dash's outburst earned her a glare from Twilight, who sat down. Celestia did not look surprised, she had expected somepony to suggest this.

“Rainbow Dash, my loyal subject, please. Even if they are the worst enemy Equestria has faced in decades, I cannot condone such harsh actions against the changelings. Since Luna and first revealed ourselves, it has been our policy to deal with threats through tolerance, reasoning and acceptance. The most decisive actions taken in Equestria's history have been imprisonment and banishment of single individuals. If Chrysalis was removed from the changeling hierarchy, they would continue to attempt to fulfill her goals.” Celestia's grim composure was shocking to her gathered audience. None of them had ever seen the Princess so close to hopelessness.

Twilight stood again. “Princess, with Cadance and my brother here, isn't Equestria safe for the time being?”

“Yes, Twilight. The next few months may prove stressful, but Equestria is in no more danger than it ever was before. It is clear Chrysalis has been plotting her campaign for some time. Her first strike at your wedding, Cadance, ended in a critical mistake. If that had gone as planned, Equestria's resistance would be gone. Cadance, I thank you again. Were it not for your love for Shining Armor, Equestria would be truly hopeless.” Celestia bowed her head to Cadance, a show of tremendous respect. Twilight's relieved face was enough to bring everypony back to a general calm. The grim atmosphere seemed much lighter with some white teeth showing around the room. The meeting quickly dissolved into separate conversations. Twilight struck the table with her hoof.

“Guys, listen!” Twilight sighed. “I know Equestria is safe, but if the Elements will be needed, we sho-”

Applejack stood, cutting Twilight off. “Twilight, 'ah know you have Equestria's best interests at heart. 'Ah know what you're about to say. We should all stay here, in Canterlot, until this all blows over. Frankly, 'ah couldn't feel any different. Even if mah family will miss me, even if our help is needed in Ponyville, Ponyville needs us here.” Twilight's face was awestruck. She had expected resistance from the orange pony, who was probably tied to Ponyville more than any other pony present.

“Applejack's right, Twilight! If things go all loopy again in Canterlot, it would be best if we were here to fix things up super quick!” Though she was only talking for the sake of talking, Pinkie Pie's agreement meant a lot to Twilight.

“Rainbow Dash? Fluttershy? Rarity?” Twilight looked at her remaining friends. “Would any of you have objections to an extended stay away from home?”

Rarity shook her head decisively, to nopony's surprise. Rainbow Dash's sarcastic answer went without a response, to Dash's chagrin. Fluttershy's simple “Of course not.” settled the matter. The six friends would be staying in Canterlot indefinitely.

The ten of them split apart, going their separate ways. Twilight and her friends went to settle in for an extended stay in the Castle. Shining Armor, with Cadance's support, renewed Canterlot's forcefield, while Sparkchaser and Celestia retired to their respective chambers for some time with their thoughts.

Sparkchaser sat on his bed, his forehooves wrapped tightly around a pillow, his brain locked in memory. The previous afternoon had been traumatic for the young colt. The changelings, having breached the wall, had surrounded the shielded ponies. The stalemate lasted for a moment before the changelings charged, cracking Celestia's force field. Sparkchaser had smelled the disgustingly sweet odor of the changelings as the ravenous horde battered the field. By the time the field had given way, Sparkchaser was on the ground, hands over his ears. He hadn't seen Shining Armor's spell push the changelings away, he hadn't heard a hundred sighs of relief. His eyes and ears were shut. He had lay there, quivering, until Luna had tapped him with her hoof. He looked up, expecting a hideous face, and instead saw the soft features of his concerned teacher. The Princess had helped him to his feet and led him inside. Celestia had asked her and Sparkchaser to meet with the rest of the group later that evening, and Luna had very plainly declined. Sparkchaser. Celestia had been kind to hold the meeting the next day.

Sparkchaser's memories ceased. His eyes opened, and he adjusted his position. He sat on his bed, forlegs at his side, hindlegs bent comfortably beneath him. He breathed deeply, feeling every tiny component of his body. He levitated himself slightly, focusing his energy into magical parlor tricks to calm his mind. Blue and red flames danced around him, requiring every ounce of concentration. His shaky breaths steadied, and he returned to a sitting position. He had not acted yesterday. That could not be changed. Clearly, Celestia and Luna had a reason for him to have been at that meeting. He would be ready to be calm. He would be ready to act.

Twilight Sparkle and her friends walked across an extensive garden, filled with statues and plants. The tower Celestia had generously given them to stay in was in a distant section of the castle, and the quickest path two it was through the Sculpture Gardens. The six of them rushed quickly past the statue of Discord, locked in the same expression of dismay the friends had left him in. They chatted about various things amongst themselves. Fluttershy was offering to help Rarity sell dresses in Canterlot, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were trading barbs, and Pinkie was jumping back and forth, butting in and out of conversations quite astoundingly. The friends were laughing, quite content.

Twilight opened the door to the tower, smiling as her friends marveled at the accommodating room. Twilight had stayed here once before, though she didn't recall the occasion. It had several bedrooms upstairs, as well as the living room they were standing in. They would eat with the Princess, in the main hall. Rainbow Dash flew up the spiraling staircase (which circled the whole lower floor, as Rarity pointed out, as if it were a terrifying, “tacky” concept), quickly laying claim to a bedroom of her choice. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were next, almost immediately followed by Rarity. Fluttershy decided to take whatever she was given, and folded her hindlegs, sitting on a couch. Twilight sat across from her, smiling.

“Twilight, I just have to ask, why does the Princess have an empty tower fully furnished?” Fluttershy looked perplexed. Twilight herself had asked that question once, and she smiled amiably.

“She had some guardsmen move the furniture into the tower a few hours ago, anticipating our stay. It's normally empty. It was built to house the Royal Guard Administration, but they moved to Coltsonville decades ago.” Fluttershy nodded appreciatively and curled into a ball, closing her eyes peacefully. Twilight smiled. How could anypony be so peaceful?

The ponies busied themselves settling into their rooms, until Twilight told them it was close to dinnertime. She remembered Celestia's scheduling perfectly. The Garden was beautiful at dusk, the orange and purple rays reflecting off pools of water.

The six ponies gathered around the table for dinner, waiting for their host. After a few minutes,Twilight looked out the high, arching window, her mouth wide and curved as a white figure lowered the sun, and from behind, the light of the moon filled the room.

Celestia stepped through the door, her multicolored mane cascading over her shoulders, flowing without wind. The godess smiled at her subjects, and sat at the head of the table, waiting a moment. Cadance and Shining Armor walked into the room from a side door, her wing around him tightly, smiling. The greetings that followed were friendly, and Cadance pulled out a chair for her stallion, nuzzling him. The entire room let out a teasing 'awww' and Shining Armor blushed. He still wore Cadance's horn ring proudly.

Twilight looked at Celestia, wondering why the table was not yet piled with food. The ever-interpretive Celestia silenced her student with a smile, as another set of hooves entered the room. Sparkchaser smiled at Cadance and her husband, and bowed to Celestia before taking his seat. Celestia smiled and stood.

“It's been a while since I've had such a family to dine with. I've missed you, Twilight. I've missed all of you.” Celestia sat down, and well-dressed guardsmen walked into the room, carrying trays of salads, arrangements of various hay-pastas and sauces, a wide selection of fruits, and a small platter of fish. Applejack in particular turned her nose up slightly at the sight of the fish, but Rainbow Dash and Sparkchaser took generous helpings of it alongside pasta and salad.

“So Sparkchaser, how have your studies been going?” Twilight smiled at the stallion as she turned the topic to academics.

“Uhr...” Sparkchaser blushed, unused to talking through dinner, then swallowed visibly. “Well enough, Lady Sparkle.”

A pair of spittle-jets crossed the table as both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie spat out their tea. Applejack nearly choked in laughter. Sparkchaser looked at them and lowered his head.
Twilight cleared her throat loudly, silencing the ponies. She smiled at Sparkchaser.

“There's no need to be so formal, Sparkchaser. Please, just call me Twilight.” Sparkchaser mumbled an assent and kept his head down.

“So Cadance, how was the honeymoon? How does Twilight's decorated brother measure up?” Rainbow Dash cackled at her own joke, and Cadance blushed as Shining Armor looked from Dash to Celestia, aghast.

“Dash, quit teasing.” Applejack's words were broken by suppressed laughter. “Those jokes got old a few minutes after the wedding, there's no need to start shoving them around aga-” Applejack lost her attempt at composure, laughing openly. Sparkchaser looked back and forth, as if watching a sporting match, following the conversation eagerly. Even Celestia was suppressing a grin.

“Well, it's a fair assumption he got the job done, otherwise she wouldn't have brought him back so early.” Rarity covered her mouth a second too late, her joke slipping into the vortex of laughter.

Even Twilight laughed at Rarity's remark. Cadance shot Rainbow Dash a dirty look and squeezed Shining Armor with her wing, whispering something to him. He chuckled.

“Ohhhoho-o! Private jokes, now? Is he worthy of your 'Amore', Cadance?” Dash grinned as Shining Armor and Cadance looked at each other, holding in a laugh at Rainbow's lame pun.

Cadance kissed her husband's cheek and turned to Rainbow Dash, grinning. “At least I have a stallion to give it to, Rainbow.” The entire table laughed at this one, while Rainbow Dash stewed, her face red. Cadance's joke had been cruel, perhaps, but Rainbow had to admit it wasn't a bad one. She had courted a few colts before, but most of them hadn't been too interested. She hadn't been bold enough to court a pair or a trio yet, which limited her options a bit in Ponyville.

“At least I'm not keeping a stallion all to myself, Cadenza!” Rainbow's venomous retort silenced the entire table. Cadance turned, looking at Shining Armor, her eyes quivering. Celestia clapped her hooves, standing up. The air in the room, tense just a moment ago, fell to a still calm, and Celestia sat again, smiling.

“Celestia, tell your cook he knows his fish.” Rainbow Dash's voice was subdued, eliciting raised eyebrows from her friends.

“Of course, my little pony. Would you like to give him your compliments yourself?” Celestia looked expectantly at Rainbow Dash, who looked flustered.

“It's no trouble, Princess. Forget I said anything.” Dash looked down again, deciding against another conversational segue.

Sparkchaser snickered to himself, then noticed everypony looking his way. “Sorry,” he squeaked, his former blush returning quickly.

Rainbow Dash yawned. “It's fine, Sparky. No need to worry.” She leaned back, setting her napkin on her plate and putting her hooves behind her head. Rarity glared at her. She stuck her tongue out quickly, which Rarity ignored, looking back at her meal.

Twilight looked across the room after a few moments of silent eating. Cadance and Shining Armor seemed lost in each other's eyes again, while everypony else was lost in their meal. Trying not to poke at a fight, Twilight left the couple alone, instead raising a general topic.

“So, does anypony have plans for the next few days?” She smiled awkwardly.

“I must attend to royal duties for much of the day, of course, which are even more extensive than usual, due to Equestria's present situation,” said the princess, shrugging. “If you were making an open request for a pony to spend time with, I regret being unavaliable. It has been far too long, my student.” Twilight looked at Celestia understandingly.

“That wasn't exactly my intent, Princess, but you are right. It would be wonderful to spend some time with somepony. I wish you were available. Is there anyway I can help you?” Twilight's face seemed to light up at the thought of time with her mentor. Sparkchaser looked at her understandingly. With Luna gone, he felt completely alone.

“Sadly, you cannot, Twilight. Tommorow's agenda has me away from the city for much of the day. Perhaps some other time.” Celestia's face was very apologetic. Twilight nodded.

“Now that I think about it, I don't feel like spending time alone. Rainbow? Pinkie? Applejack? Rarity? Fluttershy?” Twilight didn't leave any of her friends' names out, for fear of alienating them. “Are any of you free tomorrow? A tour around Canterlot perhaps, maybe some shopping?” Twilight's face widened into a smile of desperation.
“Sorry, Twi, I kinda need to work out tomorrow. It's been a while since I did any serious flying, especially since I haven't been at work the past couple of days.” Rainbow Dash looked at her friend sincerely.

“That's alright, Rainbow. Anypony else?” Twilight looked around. Rarity and Fluttershy announced their plans for a day of dressmaking. Fluttershy had 'inspired a completely unique fashion revolution', and Rarity had been begging her to help for months. Applejack and Pinkie Pie had a “secret” they couldn't tell Twilight, which Applejack clearly was struggling with. Twilight sighed. “Thanks anyway, everypony.”

Celestia stood again, signalling to a pony outside the room. A dessert course was brought in, complete with a massive, flaming cauldron of chocolate fondue. The bittersweet cakes were even more exceptional when accompanied by this delectable sauce.

“Ow!” The entire table turned their heads, looking at Fluttershy. “Oh, I'm sorry, everypony. I didn't mean to startle you.” She rubbed her head. “Somehow, something hit my head. I guess some of these delicious sweets are a little, um, slippery.”

“Slippery mah flank, Fluttershy!” Applejack turned to look at Rainbow Dash. “'Ah didn't see nothin', but 'ah'd bet a week's worth of apple pie that you was tryin' tah' bean me with that de'sert, and y'all just missed.” Rainbow Dash stared back. Her mouth was sealed tight, but her eyes smiled betrayingly. Instead of confessing to the act, Rainbow decided to flick another bite-sized cake at Applejack, ducking under the table to avoid any dirty looks or flying desserts.

Applejack chuckled and set a tray of small, sticky dumplings on the floor. She kicked her hoof, sending the sweets sliding. A splattering sound was heard, shortly followed by Rainbow Dash cursing loudly. “Oops, 'ah guess my hoof slipped.” The entire table, even the noble alicorn sitting at its head, erupted into cacophonous laughter. Celestia clapped her hooves, and an attendant brought a towel for Rainbow Dash. She wiped herself off under the table and climbed back into her cushioned seat, her hindlegs cracking loudly as she folded them under her tail. The table winced, but Dash's expression was one of relief.

“Thank Celestia, I thought those would never pop!” She smiled, leaning back.

“You're quite welcome, Rainbow Dash.” The cyan mare looked up nervously as the entire table chuckled at her.

“I think we're all quite filled, and it sounds like most of you have a day to look forward to. Perhaps we should retire for the evening, my little ponies.” Princess Celestia stood up, bidding her friends good night, then left the room first, needing rest before the trials of her next day. Cadance and Shining Armor left together, smiling at each other, slipping back into their own little world. Fluttershy and Rarity strolled out together, aiming for the mare's room before they returned. Sparkchaser stood, bid the gathered ponies good night, and left. Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash, who sighed, anticipating a lecture.

“She had no right to say anything about my personal life, but she did, so I fought back. There's nothing wrong with that!” Rainbow blew her mane out of her face, frowning defensively as she tried to keep Twilight from lecturing her until Celestia rose the morning sun.

“Rainbow, I think you really hurt her. How do you know she plans on 'keeping him for herself', anyway? She could just be waiting for takers!” Twilight looked at Dash incredulously.

“I'm sure she's had plenty already, and I'm sure she's turned them all down. That's not even the point!” Dash huffed, annoyed. “She didn't have to tell everyone that I wasn't getting any action!”

Twilight sighed and stood up. “Rainbow, as your friend, I'm asking you to apologize. I'm sure if you do, Cadance will, too.” Rainbow grunted affirmitavely. “Good. Let's all get to bed.” Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rainbow Dash followed her without complaint, all happy that a lecture was avoided, because it would have surely kept them all up throughout the night.

Sparkchaser lay in his bed, awake. He was still quite embarrased, but he had laughed his fair share at dinner. Maybe spending time with other ponies wasn't a bad idea. The next few days, at least, would give him a chance to try it out. He yawned and rolled over, laying on his side. Maybe Luna was right, he thought, curiously. Maybe friendship is more important than magic. The blue-and-red colt drifted off, smiling, the joy of discovery lulling him to sleep as it did when he was but a foal.