Chapter 4: calm before the storm

Terror, felt all around, the news spread too fast to stop, all around everypony heard about the attack of Canterlot and princess Celestia’s fatal injury to a creature they thought they could contain. This news not only brought fear and terror, it also brought a new form of thought: innovation, several high ranking noble in Canterlot began to seize the opportunity to take power. Princess Luna in her firm hold desperately tried to subdue this ‘power grab’ from the nobles, one such noble behind it all was none other than her nephew, prince Blueblood. Celestia's near fatal attack showed Equestria it wasn't ready for what was to come and with Shining armor out with a head injury, ponies began to question the strength of Equestrias military. In this manner of terror, Luna in her quick action began to shore up Equestrias defenses and in doing so, locked down Canterlot castle, to some this would look like a takeover, to others its needed.

Hooves clopped on marble flooring, Luna's decision to lock down Canterlot castle was firm, though it made her look like a tyrant, she did it to protect her subjects, of course that’s what she wanted everypony to believe. In all she did it to protect her subjects, but she also did it to stem the power grab certain nobles were going after, as for the ponies in Ponyville, she understood the bearers' concern.

Turning down a hall Luna arrived at Canterlot's royal infirmary, earlier she was informed by the head nurse that her sister was awake and the surgery was a success. Glad her dear Tia was alright, she was though furious, a dangerous creature such as whatever it was shouldn't have been allowed on the castle grounds, currently by her order she’s tasked a full investigation into the matter and she’s currently waiting for said report. Speaking of reports, Luna currently aired for another set of reports, earlier Celestia sent ponies to investigate the wreck on the western coast, they were to give Tia their reports but with her sister incapacitated she’ll be taking said reports.

Taking a left, Luna walked into Caterlots royal infirmary, on both sides were beds, usually in hospitals there would be a receptionist desk, but not in Canterlot's infirmary. The royal hospital is currently led by one of the best doctors in all Equestria, seeing the many beds around her she spotted the said doctor overlooking her sister.

“Doctor Radon is everything okay, how's my sister doing” a bit of worry wormed its way into her voice, Doctor Radon, a unicorn stallion with a green coat and lime green mane and tail, his cutie mark covered by his lab coat. He raised a hoof to ease her tension.

“Your sister is fine, we managed to get the spear out of her, but she needs to rest, whoever threw that spear nearly turned your sister into a kabob!” Luna sighed relieved to hear her dear Tia is safe, but that brought up other questions regarding everypony else.

“Thank you doctor that’s well and good, but I need to ask how the others are, are they okay?” again she worried, this time for the bearers of harmony and captain of the guard, again Radon calmed her.

“They’re doing fine, some are worse for wear and require rest. Shining armor on the other hoof took a direct blow to his temple, he’s lucky he wasn't killed, but we're keeping an eye on him for any signs of concussion or brain trauma. "His report made Luna sigh in relief and concern, relief the bearers are alright, concern regarding further internal damage to shining armor's brain.

After giving him thanks and a bow, she proceeded to check the bearers, clopping her way into their rooms, they were the same as the previous, beds all lined up on both sides. Several of the mares were up already, Pinkie Pie was trying to convince a nurse to throw a party, Rarity took to writing notes on a pad for future designs and Rainbow dash sat by Applejack's bed. Twilight sparkle sat in bed reading daring do, Fluttershy too was reading tabloid magazine its title ‘Everfree forest last bastion of free animals’, she could clearly see a mixture of features on her face. Luna looked towards Applejack and Rainbow dash, the farm mare unmoving, she recalled what Radon said to her earlier ‘some were worse for wear and require rest’. She cracked a smile however mostly in part for Rainbow's concern for Applejack and remembered a dream she oversaw, both Rainbow dash and Applejack expressed their feelings to one another and that made Luna smile.

Looking up from her book Twilight sparkle smiled in delight “princess Luna!” Her gleeful tone roused her friends. They were about to bow when Luna intervened.

“Neigh my friends, no need to bow” her request was surprising to the mares, even Rarity, who believed everypony should bow to royalty, though now that she thought of it, they were in a hospital.

“Princess Luna-” Twilight began “- we’re surprised to see you when you arrive back in the lab, but we’re glad to see you now!” Luna looked down in worry, her look soon worried Twilight and the other mares who saw it too.

“Your highness whatever is the matter?” Rarity questioned her concern for her princess, they all heard Luna sigh.

“I’m glad Spike was there when he was, but I should've arrived sooner, I should've warned her, warned you all!”. Everypony looked at her puzzled, not sure what she was getting at, but they figured it to be related to what happened in the lab.

“Princess it’s not your fault-” Twilight began “-nopony knew what was going to happen, not even Celestia, you had your own business to do. Whatever that was”. She hoped her words got to her and sure enough they did.

Luna nodded in Twilight's words, the whole debacle with the western coast threw everypony for loop and when both her and her sister heard the news it was too late. Now all she could do is wait for her sister to get better, but in the meantime it was time for her to take the lead, to start before bearers arrived Celestia filled her in on her plan to combat with these new arrivals. The plan was dangerous, but with several sightings across Equestria, along with this report on the friendship express and now this, the plan had to go under way. However it was up to twilight and she would have to think of it long and hard, to twilight she would think of it as a test, but this is no test, this is life and death.

“Twilight sparkle once you and your friends are better, you are permitted to stay in one of the large castles, it’ll be large enough for you, your friends and Spike to rest. After you settled in I request to speak with you in private-” twilight nodded, she was about to say something but Luna stopped her and turned to leave “-now if you excuse me I need to speak with the doctor” with that she left, raising more questions than answers for her. As for the others, everypony was excited to stay in the castle, well all except Rainbow dash, who just sat next to an unconscious Applejack, tears welled in her eyes reliving that fateful hour. Rainbow recollected the attack, her fear forming in her mind the creature attacking applejack instead of twilight, ‘please get better AJ, please, i love you’.

Luna listened to doctor Radon on shining armor's condition and how he’s doing, she asked him about it, along with her question on when the bearers would be released from the hospital. When she listened to Shining's condition it wasn't good, she thought it would be an easy fix like a broken bone, but when it came to head trauma she was stunned at the effects it could lead to. Her reformation from nightmare moon didn't give her enough time to look over the current medical books and research done in the last thousand years. Now she knows, shining armor currently has a level two concussion and she was told the different levels: level one: minor, level two: major, level three: critical. She looked over the guard captain, silently asleep, his ekg monitor steadily beeped, a bandage was currently wrapped around his head. She replayed what Radon said ‘he was almost killed, the metal bar hitting him nearly severed his cerebral artery. He’s currently teetering on level two and three, but we’ll be monitoring him closely and the same will go for your sister, but she’s currently stable.’. Luna sighed she should have arrived sooner, but she had no choice in the matter, her sister gave her no choice, but she couldn't blame her nopony knew what would happen. Leaning down she whispered in shining’s ear “get better, for Twilight's sake… and for mine”.

Twilight yawned, it's been half a day since her and her friends had been discharged from the hospital and exhaustion began to take hold ‘hospitals tend to do that’ she thought, yawning again. They’re currently in their guest rooms and it was quite stylish even for her tastes, upon first entry they were met with the smell of fresh roses, on both sides were two large walk-in closets. further to their left was the washroom, consisting of three showers, a sink and toilet made of marble ‘talk about sliding off’ twilight thought recalling how marble is slippery when wet. What astonished them were the beds, three large king size beds rested in the center of the room, across from the beds was another door. At first it was thought to be another closet, but when it was opened it revealed to be an entertainment room, there were books, board games and even a radio. Going over to the bookshelf twilight pulled one out and read the title immediately she blushed as it read ‘the stallion and the griffon’, twilight put the erotic literature up and began to look for other books. To her surprise several books were erotic literature ‘fifty shades of hay’, ‘two colts one mare’, and one she saw in Celestia's room once ‘mares and stallions: a guide on pleasure’. Rarity saw this herself and was to say the least quit into some of it, admittingly she read Fifty shades of hay and in her words it was ‘invigorating’, as for two colts one mare it was more smut and less story, in fact she thought she saw the movie poster of it in Ponyville cinema.

Twilight laid in bed reading one of the many books that wouldn't put her in therapy, she looked around everypony was either settling in or resting, well some of them that is. Applejack was still in pain in certain spots, that thing did a number on her and rainbow dash wasn't doing any better, her wing still hurt but her pride and ego were shot. Just thinking about that event a day earlier still haunted her, resting the book down, she recalled her brother was still in the hospital and the same went for her teacher princess Celestia. Her worried look went to concern, remembering Spike, he was like an adoptive son to her, she did practically raise him after all, but when he saw that thing lift her up, he jumped into action and saved their lives. She was concerned due to the fact she hasn't seen him at the hospital or with them at all, the last place she might have heard of his location was her old room in the castle. Luna vowed to check on him when they were discharged, she was worried for him after all and besides she still has to thank him for saving her and her friends. She sighed, looking out the window she noticed the sun slowly start to go down, ever since Celestia has been placed in the hospital Luna took over her duties of raising and lowering the sun.

“Twilight whatever is the matter?” Rarity spoke, her concern drawing their friends' attention, ever since the short time they’ve been together their friendship manifested to the bond of near sisterhood. Though some won't admit it thinking it would be too weird for ponies from different tribes seeing each other as sisters, it was more of a strong bond than that of blood.

“I’m just worried about Spike, i haven't seen him in a while” Twilight's concern for the little dragon drew worried looks, they too haven't seen the little dragon anywhere, the last they heard Luna was going to look for him, she had been helping the guard secure Canterlot.

“A’hm worried for the lil guy myself-” Applejack replied with concern, she continued “- But worrying about him isnt going to help, he’s most likely in shock as we are. He’ll turn up when he does, but right now we should get some rest”. Applejack's suggestion of rest held true, it was only going to make Twilight worry more, she wanted to look for spike true, but Luna ordered her to rest and she couldn't disobey the princess, could she?

Princess Luna trotted towards Twilight's old house, after securing Canterlot with the rest of the guard, she made it her personal mission to Twilight to look for Spike, she recalled the young dragon storming off after the whole lab ordeal. Reaching the main door to Twilight's house, she noticed said door was open a crack meaning somepony was inside, silently opening it she walked in hoping not to spook whoever might be inside. As she continued further, she noticed a green and purple figure sitting on the floor, sighing that she found spike, she was about to speak to him when he spoke first.

“I’m sorry I ran away-” he started, sniffling as he slowly started to cry “- I- I panicked, seeing that thing holding Twilight i (he started to sob more) I didn't have a choice” he broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. Luna quickly rushed in and soothed the baby dragon, sitting down next to him she put her wing around him.

“It’s okay Spike, I'm here, nopony is mad, we're all shaken” Luna couldn't believe what she heard from him, Spike thought he was in trouble for killing that thing, for protecting Twilight. She heard about Equestia's laws, usually when a pony was being attacked by a creature said pony would flee, but if said pony defends itself it’s considered a crime. ‘What has my sister been thinking?’ Luna thought, she overlooked the death toll of creatures killing ponies and they were quite high, ponies usually the peaceful type aren't really violent. That was the case until she saw the crime report and she was shocked, ponies who defended their families were arrested for just defending their families. It sickened her, but also worried her, she has to put a stop to this and she'll start by defending Spike.

“It’s not okay-” spike sobbed “-I'm going to be arrested for defending twilight!” he cried harder, in all he was scared, scared she might put him away, but that wasn't the case, when her sister gets better, she’ll need a word with her.

“Not while I'm here” determination in Luna's voice stopped Spike from crying, she continued “this new law goes against Equestria as a whole and I'll personally see to it, it gets revoked!”. Hope filled Spike and embraced Luna who embraced him back, ‘on my honor and duty as a princess, I will see this done!’

Later that night silence filled the night sky, a calm sky for many, a precious one for one, Luna looked over the many dreams ponies were having, majority of them were calm and peaceful. Some on the other hoof were downright lewd and she clearly avoided those ones for privacy, but nonetheless everypony dreamt peacefully. An hour ago she put Spike to bed in Twilight's room. She smiled when she saw how calmly the bearers slept, but at the same time worried when she saw tears in Twilight's eyes, ‘probably about her brother’ she thought, she’ll have to talk with her later. Talk Luna chuckled she still had to speak to Twilight on the matter of these strange events happening, her sister Celestia filled her in on the matter before she left for the coast.

Screaming soon caught her ears, shifting the many dreams she arrived at one she didn't expect, Rainbow dash, but an unease filled her this dream was that of fear and it held strong. A glimpse of the dream soon showed her what it was about, it was about the creature killed by spike, taking a breath she stepped into the dream unaware of what she might find.

Rainbow dash and Applejack stood beaten and battered, their foe giving the a good thrashing, before them stood the dark creature (named by ponies of Equestria) in full armor and held its two handed sword. It furiously roared challenging the two mares it was staring down, Rainbow panted, fury welling in her veins, just behind their target laid their friends bodied all slain by their foe. Tears welled up in Rainbow's eyes she failed to protect them, now it was her and Applejack to avenge them, looking at each other they gave a nod and charged.

“For Equestria!” they cried, the dark creature roared itself and charged, reading itself it swung in a downward arch aimed for Applejack, the mare dodging the attack gave a quick counter kick to their foes legs, knocking it down. Rainbow followed with a dive attack and struck it in the back forcing it to the ground, but it quickly got back up, their attacks hurt it, but it just shrugs every blow. Applejack gave another charge, but this time it was ready, dodging her attack it struck her head with its sword pommel knocking her out cold, raising its sword it readied the final blow. Rainbow Dash intercepted the attack and tackled her target, but it wasn't having any of it, grabbing her by the throat and thrown, she cried in pain when her back struck the cage. Flapping her wing she shrieked when she felt a sickening pop, fear welled up inside her as she watched this dark creature pick Applejack up by the throat.

“TAKE ME-” Rainbow screamed, pleadingly she would do anything to save applejack, even if she sacrificed herself “-TAKE ME, I'LL DO ANYTHING, DON'T KILL HER!!”. Hot tears fell from Rainbows eyes, her foe looked at her as in a gleeful way it sickened her, raising its sword it lined up the blade with Applejack's belly.

“NO PLEASE TAKE-”

-SCHLCK-

Rainbow's breath shakend, a piece of her had been taken, she just watched her enemy gut her friend in front of her, Applejack's blood poured out of her, her body removed from the blade and tossed towards Rainbow. The sound of Applejack's lifeless body reverberated in Rainbow's mind, she crawled desperately to her disbelief, her breath shaking in her followed by a pain worse than any sword wound. “Applejack” she buried her head in her friend's corpse, her sobbing defining the heavy footfalls of metal on stone. She screamed her pain, her heart feeling like it was stabbed by thousands of knives, the pony she loved, her rock, her mare to be was dead.

A dark chuckle mocked her, looking up tears staining her cyan coat watched her foe raise its sword “ GO AHEAD, YOU’VE TAKEN EVERYTHING FROM ME!!” it gladly did and brought its sword down.

Luna watched everything, her heart broken by the scene, her concentration was soon interrupted, the dream began to crumble, Rainbow dash was waking up, making for an exit. Luna left the dream.

Rainbow dash woke with a start, she panted from the dream, her mane still moist from what she saw, looking over on her left she saw Applejack, a calming sigh of relief left Rainbow, her friend was alive. She felt disturbed though, a dreading sense of failure still haunted her, leaving the bed she silently walked over towards the balcony, opened its door and stepped outside. Sitting on her haunches the cyan mare could only think and feel, ever since they first met both her and Applejack had a strong bond, but it was only recently did that bond turn to something more. She knew the relationship was risky since applejack's family were more traditional and all, but she cant help the fact that she has feeling towards her, what worried her the most was, did Applejack feel the same, the very thought scared her, she wanted to tell her, but at the same time didn't want to make things awkward, How could she explain she was still in love with a stallion. looking down defeated she didn't know what to do. Soft hoof beats cough her ears looking back it was Applejack, a look of worry was present on her face.

“Rainbow y'all alright?” Rainbow dash bit her lip, she was cornered by Applejacks question, she couldn't lie Applejack would see right through that, it was the moment of truth.

“A-Applejack do-do you like me?” Aj looked at her with confusion, her brow raised at that question.

“Well o course I like ya, you’re ma friend” of course Applejack didn't get the question, she thought Rainbow was mad at her, but rainbow asked again.

“N-no d-do you like me like me” the air was tense and Applejack just stared at her with a raised brow, Rainbow looked down defeated “I- I see, I'm sorry for asking” she was about to walk away when Applejack stopped her and kissed her. Rainbow dash was completely taken off guard, but slowly she started to melt into the kiss, ending it Applejack smiled

“I’ve had my fair share of studded stallions Rd, but when I met ya, my heart felt light, I love ya Rainbow dash, now I know why ya flashed me with your marehood at the spa” Rainbow dash smiled.

“Did you like it?!” her smirk bought a chuckle from Applejack.

“Ah did and I know ya liked mine, but for future references lets not do it in public, don't want no filly going to therapy or a poor colt getting a heart attack” Rainbow chuckled “deal” she replied. For The rest of the day the two mares sat on the balcony, rainbow dash told applejack her nightmare, prompting understanding from the farm mare. From that moment the two mares locked eyes moving forward they kissed sealing their bond from friendship to relationship.

Author's Note

Here it is chapter four, I don't own the rights they belong to their respective owners, I only own my OC'S. Other OC'S I don't own will be put in the fic or referenced and given credit to the authors. Stallion referenced near the end (Skittle, Belongs to (referenced)).