Love's Hydration

by B_25

Chapter VI | Hollow Ascendance

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~ VI ~

Hollow Ascendance

A red carpet stretched beneath her hooves. The castle's hallway immersed one in the feeling of being an ant. Stained windows accompanied Rainbow's right. Diffused light illuminated coloured panes. Images passed her by of the stories already told.

Nightmare's Return.

Rise of the Elements

Discord's Return and Reversal.

Twilight's wings.

And so on.

Will they do a window for me? Rainbow wondered with a tilt of her head. There were a few depictions of the Wonderbolt's history. Not much had been recorded in the castle of its recent members. Nah. This place is bound to be running out of glass soon. If it's between Twilight or me—Twilight's window stays up.

Rainbow chuckled. What happened when all the windows were gone? Did ponies in construction hats stroll in with sledgehammers? Setting up signs. Blocking hallway traffic. Guard out the guards?

Funny. It's only been a few days, but I don't care about being remembered. Guards and maids passed in her vision. Rainbow continued her stroll. Some checked her out. Amazed to see Rainbow Dash, the fastest tracking Wonderbolt, here. Others glanced to check the fabric flexing her flanks. Still a few of you, eh? Sorry boys and girls. The Dash is already taken.

Hooves tapped to a stop. A stallion behind walked faster, thinking himself caught. Rainbow rid herself of the thought—pretending it'd never happened. She carried on.

Guards awaited ahead. Standing before the colossal doors, they scanned the Wonderbolt and, with a nod, turned and pushed open the doors. Seconds passed before the way cleared. The two entered a salute.

Rainbow strode between them with a nod, and, passing them by, the two backed out of the throne room, closing the door with them. The mare carried across the red carpet, scanning across the open space. Marble pillars towered to the sides with intricate designs.

She looked ahead to the ascending steps, the throne at the top, the princess conversing with a servant. There was a little table next to her. It bore plates with little snacks and a cup of steaming tea.

Spitfire stood beside the steps of the throne. She watched Rainbow approach. Her eyes were passive. A smirk grew on the leader.

"Yo." Spitfire's head tilted up. Rainbow cocked her head at the informal greeting. "Don't forget the bow to her greatness."

Rainbow blinked and looked to the princess, who glanced this way, with the younger mare dropping to a knee. Her head fell next as mane fell over her face. Her features scrunched.

"Such cruelty," Princess Celestia said with her voice directed at Spitfire. Afterward, she whispered a few things to the servant, who left after a nod. The princess focused on Rainbow next. "Rise, my little pony. Such things aren't needed between friends.

"Dunno about that one, your highness." Spitfire's muzzle kept on Rainbow, but her eyes glanced at the princess. "Dashie here pushes things to the limit. Set it too high, and this castle will catch fire."

Princess Celestia pouted. "You said nothing but pleasant things behind her back. Now you're just being awful. Is this your style of mentoring? Or just your last chance being a bully?"

Spitfire stepped before the bowing Rainbow Dash. She offered a hoof, one that, once Rainbow went for it, shot for her scalp. Spitfire scruffled her mane with a smile, and Rainbow, unable to hold one back herself, charged the leader. The two fought to mess up the other's hair.

"That'll be enough." Princess Celestia's voice stopped the intertwined mares, who were raised on their back legs, a foreleg around the other's neck, playfully fighting. They turned to the nation's ruler. "I think Spitfire's easing has run its course. You two may release each other."

Both mares glanced back into each other's eyes and, with mutual grins, clapped their hooves and fell away. They turned and looked up to the princess. Spitfire stepped between them and addressed them both.

"I tease because I have faith." Spitfire glanced at them both. "Rainbow's mellowed enough to understand the responsibilities of the job." She nodded. "There'll be challenges. There always are. But Miss Dash has what it takes to handle the mantle."

This is it.

Princess Celestia gazed upon the little pony in question. "Do you understand what this is, Miss Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow choked and straightened. "Yes, ma'am."

Spitfire stood aside. "You saw this coming. I've tested you in every possible way for this." A sly look at the princess. "And surprisingly, Rainbow pulled through." Her eyes returned. "You're the best of the best. The only pony capable of this job. And you've matured enough not to have your ego swell.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

"Alright," Spitfire admitted defeat. "Maybe you've got a little spunk left. But you won't let it get in the way. You'll be training, leading, and inspiring the Wonderbolts. Our nature is national security. Thus, a change in rank must be overseen by every princess. This process cannot proceed without Princess Celestia's approval."

Princess Celestia, at those words, rose from the throne, unfurling great wings. Power touched the air, and suddenly, there was a breeze. All focus ascended to the one above.

"Major Rainbow Dash of Cloudsdale. You are summoned for review for the rank of Captain. Upon mutual approval, this duty shall be taken from Captain Spitfire, who will thus retire."

Princess Celestia carried down the steps. Rainbow lowered to a knee. Her heart thumped; strands of mane fell over her face. Looking aside revealed the stained glass of her friends. All of them watched Rainbow with smiles.

Rainbow smiled at the girls in this critical moment. Her eyes fell on Rarity. Her smile twitched. In the corner of the glass, a little purple dragon stood with a claw pointed upward, a genuine, infectious smile, with fangs on display.

The view was a tickle. Spike so small and squirmish. He was apart from the rest as if he did not belong on such a monumental piece. The baby dragon was nothing like the kind beast that had returned.

The world rumbled beneath his feet. His presence drained oxygen from the air. Darkened, violet scales. Eyes that, despite their intensity, were the brightest shade of neon green.

Some of the previous dragon was still inside of him. That openness and welcomeness despite all those other qualities.

Out of everyone… why is it that I want you here the most?

"You'll take Spitfire's role, rank, and command." Princess Celestia's hooves clopped onto the mutual flooring. Rainbow didn't fear her. Despite the princess's size and might, the weight of her step, nothing could compare to being close to the dragon. Spike had zero authority in the world.

Yet he could make a princess and court bow should he desire it. "You will have direction from Spitfire. But as the times change, it's the Captain's responsibility to adjust for the better. You will soon come to trust in yourself and those you surround yourself with."

Celestia nodded before the little pony. "If I may offer some advice. Be decisive. Admit later when certain choices prove misguided. Then sail again with better understanding." She halted in place. "Are you capable of this responsibility?"

Rainbow bowed lower. "I am."

The princess's warm smile was felt. "You are chosen for the council, then." Celestia's wing flushed down, tapping Rainbow's shoulder, floating over her head, and tapping the other. "May the lessons from your friends guide you. Allow those you train to inspire you. And may you always have faith in your ability to succeed eventually."

Celestia stepped away. "And contact us whenever you should need it."

Spitfire walked to Celestia's side. "Just don't call too much, okay rookie? No sense in retirement if my phone's going to ring the same."

Rainbow laughed while rising. She glanced at them both before speaking. "I won't disappoint. Every Wonderbolt will feel like they can knock back the moon if it ever gets too close. The world will look to us whenever they're looking for a fire to light the way. The innocent will never fear a lack of protection."

Celestia smiled. "Inspiring words." Her head tilted to the side. "Except for the moon bit. Don't inflict any more damage on that. Your promotion requires Luna, Cadance, and Twilight's approval. It is unwise to start making enemies before your pay raises."

Rainbow stepped back and chuckled. "You betcha!" She quickly caught herself. "I mean, uh, m-m'am!"

Spitfire left first. Celestia, however, invited Rainbow up to the throne for some tea. Instructed to be at ease, Rainbow sat on the other side of the little table. Plates of snacks and another cup awaited her.

Celestia floated a tea bag into that cup; the kettle soon followed.

"Isn't someone supposed to pour your drinks for you?" Rainbow asked.

Celestia hummed. "Some trivialities become delights if not exercised. Plus, our coming matter is a private one." Her knowing eyes flicked to the seated friend. "Relax. It bears not with your promotion. Congratulations, by the way. I've heard it's been a life-long dream."

Rainbow nodded shyly. "T-Thank you, ma'am."

"You may call me Celestia when our interactions are as friends." The larger mare finished pouring. She returned the kettle to the side of the table. "How does it feel for your dream to come true? Is it frightful? Or has it been nothing but a delight?"

"Bit of both," Rainbow admitted as a tip of her wing claimed the handle of her mug. "Used to be more scared than proud a few days ago. Luckily, everything turned right back around in time."

"And why is that?"

"Things had been rough." Rainbow brought the tea close so she'd have something else to focus on. "Rarity had died. I'm sure you already know that. I wasn't there for her like I should have been. And everything good in my life wasn't hitting the same." Her gaze flicked to the princess. "Not that I would allow anything to interfere with my duty."

Celestia nodded.

"But a friend came back into town. Knocked some sense back into my head." The dragon entered her mind. The scaly, shadowy giant, standing in a dark abyss. Nothing detailed except for that fang-revealing smirk. "He didn't spout anything special. It's stuff I should have realized on my own. Maybe I would have—after a while."

Celestia hummed. "That's how it is, sometimes. We require another to remind and reassure us of the truth already inside ourselves." She lifted her cup and took a little sip. "I glean that this returned friend of yours is Spike?"

Rainbow's eyes widened. Her gaze dashed to Celestia. The larger mare focused on her tea. "Don't worry. You aren't required to share that which you are not comfortable with. I've only heard Spike's returned to Ponyville. It makes me happy that he is less alone."

"Y-Yeah."

"Are the two of you romantically together?"

"What!?"

Celestia winked, smirking. "A jest." Her eyes twinkled. "Though perhaps not much of a jest after all. Forgive me. I seriously did not know something had become of the two of you."

"N-Nothin' to forgive, your highness!"

"Is he happy?"

"H-Happy? Spike?" Rainbow's eyes narrowed in thought. Spike's not a dragon that acted happily. He wasn't unhappy. Spike was just… Spike. "I… don't know for sure. He is better than how he was before. I feel like he's on a better path."

Rainbow slumped. "But, I can't say anything for sure." Her eyes closed. "Something's always biting at him. He does his best to keep everyone at a distance." Rainbow opened her eyes and stared into the waters of her cup. "It's not because he hates us. He tried doing the cold shoulder to Twilight… but couldn't keep it up. He acts like he's the devil, sometimes. Like he's a step away from turning evil or hurting all of us."

"Do you think he will?"

Rainbow shook her head. "Never intentionally."

"Do you think he could hurt you?"

Rainbow nodded. "Yes."

Princess Celestia pondered. She checked around. None had snooped into the room. "There are things you must know, Rainbow Dash. Things that I trust you'll keep a secret. Matters you must not judge him on."

Rainbow gave a heavy nod.

"I've been informed of Spike's actions during his departure." Celestia had spoken slowly. "I did not request these reports because I was a princess. You understand what that means, yes?" Another nod from the friend. "Spike has slain great dragons while remaining his normal size. He's burned forests full of monsters while fighting inside the flames. He's never hurt someone deserving of it. But he's also done more than you'd ever expect from the little ball of love he once was."

Celestia looked into her cup of tea. "There's an urge inside of him to slaughter and mate. The slaying of a beast never proved to be enough. He went from one to another without burning up all that rage inside him. He's traveled the world, and there's not enough land to tire out his footprint."

Then.

A smile.

"But Spike never lost himself," warmth returned to Celestia's voice. "There's reports of him helping villages and returning the lost from their home. Of preventing beasts from taking over a town or the handling of matters, of which friendship and magic aren't suitable."

Celestia lowered her muzzle with closed eyes. "There is good in him. And there is also an awful lot of bad. He could easily slaughter ponies and drench the grass in the colour of red. That is his fear. It is what he is always fighting against."

She looked to Rainbow. "And the reason why he refused to return home."

Rainbow never felt the bow of a princess.

Until now.

"Please be there for him," Celestia's voice nearly pleaded. She bowed to Rainbow Dash. "No matter what he does. He desires to scare everyone away. Prove that there is no good in him. Let them see Spike has gone, and something else has taken over."

Rainbow hastily reached a hoof over the table.

"But if everyone stands by him, he will be forced to prove himself, and I know which side of his nature will win." Celestia raised her head while remaining in the bow. Rainbow silently pulled her hoof. "Please. More than this job… be there for him. Be the ear he needs. The understanding heart he requires. He may hurt you… but he'll do everything he can to make it better."

Her eyes narrowed. "I know this is a selfish request. Forgive me."

"Nothing to forgive," Rainbow finally answered. "It's what I was going to do anyway."


Author's Note

Missed a day! But that's how it goes.

I'll use yesterday's chapter as a stockpile.

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