Just For Kicks

Inspiration of Loyalty

Ponyville’s weather forecasts were carried out with extreme precision, earning the weather team the grand title of “Best Weather Team in Equestria” which was bestowed by princess Celestia herself. The ceremony had been held in Canterlot and by Celestia was it grand, and each Pegasus had received a golden plaque bearing their names in raised letters and an enclosed envelope that the held the offer of a lifetime. In each envelope lie a letter that dropped the jaws of everypony who read it. It was an offer for a spot on the new Canterlot weather team. Princess Luna had convinced her sister that a weather team as efficient as Ponyville’s would help ease the burden of running a kingdom by dealing with pesky matters such as weather. However both secretly viewed weather management in Canterlot as a chore and were content with paying a team of capable Pegasi to handle the matter for them. However the two quickly came across a problem.

There simply was no weather team as efficient as Ponyville’s in all of Equestria. No matter how good a city or towns weather reports were, they just never seemed to match the reports coming from Ponyville, and Canterlot was such an uptight city that they could not afford to have stray clouds lying about. Lest they feel the wrath of Equestrias’ most elite complain that the a cloud is blocking their perfect view of the Canterlot City Bank. This problem plagued them for many days until one star filled night a certain princess of the night had an idea.

Sister, sister!

All the sleeping sun goddess could do before an excited Luna busted through her door was scream and hide under covers.

Ahhhh!

Sister you must wake up you’ll….. That’s rather foolish don’t you think?

The now awake sun goddess soon realized her current state as that of a school filly. Blushing madly she got out of bed and composed herself as well as any princess could while wearing Starswirl the bearded pajamas.

Well I doubt that completely destroying ones door and interrupting her slumber is any better.

The princess of the night glanced over her shoulder and soon realized the extent of the damage caused by her entrance. The door was completely off its hinges and lied on the ground in several hundred pieces while the frame was littered with cracks. Blushing, the young princess turned to face a chuckling sun goddess.

I…I’m sorry, I just couldn’t contain my excitement and well….I might have gotten a little carried away.

Do not worry sister, it is only a door.

Are….are you sure?

Yes now I believe that you wanted to tell me something?

Immediately Luna’s demeanor changed form one of remorse to one of excitement as she remembered her purpose for destroying her sisters’ door and invading her privacy.

Ah yes, I finally think that I’ve found a solution to our weather problem.

You have?

Yes I believe I do, it’s so simple in fact, and I’m a little embarrassed that it wasn’t our first choice.

Well go on sister I would love to hear it.

Well as you might recall over the past few days we have been having problems finding a capable team of Pegasi that could match Ponyville’s own weather team. Well while looking over some reports an idea crossed my mind. If we can’t find a team as good as Ponyville’s then why don’t we take Ponyville’s!

It took Celestia a good moment to let what Luna had said sink in. However her initial reaction was one of shock rather than excitement.

Take! Sister do you mean to tell me that you would be willing to ponynap our own citizens because we do not wish to do our chores? I must say I’m surprised that even you would suggest such a thing.

What? No I mean why don’t we try to convince the weather team from Ponyville to come and join ours. Perhaps we could offer them a sizeable sum of bits and a lavish lifestyle in exchange for their services or maybe…….Wait, you truly think that I would suggest such a horrid thing as ponynaping?

Celestia’s cheeks were now a shade of red that would put Big Macintosh to shame.

Well...I...uh how about we talk about this another time when both of us have clearer heads?

There was a slight pause until Luna spoke.

I suppose that would be best. Goodnight sister.

Goodnight sister.

With her sister returning to her nightly duties Celestia turned to face her bed and chuckle at the thought of her as a school filly.

Over the course of the next few days the two princesses had finalized their plan to convince Ponyville’s weather team to come to Canterlot. They had both decided that the weather team was to be offered a substantial amount of bits and private rooms in Canterlot Castle. Along with many other perks such as royal discounts at stores and free tickets to the grand galloping gala and even private dinners with the Princesses.  They decided to unveil their proposal to the weather team during the ceremony of the “Best Weather Team in Equestria.” It was decided almost a week prior that Ponyville would be the recipient and the sisters thought the perfect time to act. They had plenty of time to prepare their little speech seeing as how the event was a month away.

Line breaker

So here we are again, in the Canterlot Castle Ball room surrounded by a plethora of Pegasi, mouth agape and eyes widened by the letter that lay in their hooves.. Luna sensing the shock in everypony, decided to break the moment of silence.

Ladies and gentilecolts of the Ponyville weather team, before you lie’s the offer of a lifetime. As you are all aware Canterlots’ weather is managed by Celestia and I using our magic. However we must also manage a kingdom as well, and cannot always attend to something as small as weather. That is why Celestia and I have decided to form Canterlots first ever weather team! However, Canterlot is the most prestigious city in all of Equestria and deserves the best that the kingdom has to offer. With that being said, no other weather team in all of Equestria comes close to the skills displayed by Ponyvilles own weather team. So on behalf of Princess Celestia and myself, we cordially invite the Ponyville weather team to come to Canterlot and be a part of its first weather team ever!

Celestia, sensing that her sister had spoken her part flew down gracefully from their small balcony overlooking the ball room. Celestia had always found speaking to her subjects from higher ground to be a bit discomforting. If there was anything she valued more than the happiness of her subjects it was how they perceived her. She despises the expectations placed on her which force her to detour from showing any real emotion. Deep down she was a Pony like them, she felt happiness, anger and even sadness just as they do, but yet she cannot express her emotions the same way her subjects do. She shrugs the thought off for there is a room full of ponies to attend to.

My loyal subject’s what my sister says is true. We are looking to create a weather team for Canterlot, and we decided that the perfect ponies for the job would be Ponyvilles’ own weather team. I can assure you that if any of you accept this offer than you shall not regret it. You will all be paid ten times your current salary and will even reside within Canterlot Castle. Please do consider this offer for…..

The sun goddess was cut off when she realized that no pony seemed to show any interest in what she was saying. They were all looking at her but not a single one even attempted to feign interest in their proposal.

Does anypony here understand what Luna and I are offering?

Celestia was not irritated for she knew what it was like to be forced to listen to something one would otherwise ignore.

Well… we don’t mean to be rude your highness's but Ponyville has always been there for us. Sure it may not be as classy as Canterlot but then again we aren’t classy ponies, and well…our captain would have our heads if she found out that we were leaving Ponyville for fame and fortune.

Your captain?

Yes your highness, she’s the reason why we’re here. If it hadn’t been for her, the Ponyville weather team wouldn’t be where it is today.

Who is this captain?

Ahem

Celestia turned to the source of the noise and found a cyan Pegasus beaming proudly with her chest out.

That would be me your highness.

Rainbow? I had no idea that you were the captain of Ponyvilles’ weather team.

Really? Cuz I’m pretty sure I mentioned it the last time we spoke which was probably at the wedding?

I must not have been paying very good attention and for that I am sorry.

Don’t worry about it princess, whats this I hear about you trying to steal my weather team for Canterlot?

Princess Celestia chuckled at Rainbows choice of words.

While I assure you Rainbow that your team is good, they are not so good as to drive a princess to theft. I can also see that your sense of loyalty seems to have rubbed off on your team.

He he I guess so huh?

By now everypony had stopped listening and returned to the festivities, and a curious Luna sensing that her sisters speech and most likely her own went unnoticed, flew down to her sister and Rainbow so as not to be the odd one out.

Hello everypony, did I miss anything?

Not at all Luna I was just talking to Rainbow Dash here. She’s the captain of the Ponyville weather team and…

And the bearer of the element of loyalty too if I’m not mistaken?

Yeah that would be me. So why do you two even need a weather team for Canterlot, I thought that you two can just use magic to manage it.

Both Alicorns exchanged a nervous glance as they decide whether they should tell Rainbow their true reason for assembling a weather team. Luna began to mutter a response but was cut off by one of Celestia’s hooves jabbing her side.

Ahem, well if you must know Rainbow Luna and I are not only in charge of the sun and moon but the kingdom of Equestria as well, and…

Celestia soon received a night blue hoof to the ribcage as Luna jumped in to salvage what she could.

What my sister means to say is that no other city in Equestria has their weather controlled by magic and we don’t want to play favorites. Isn’t that right sister!

Celestia was too busy rubbing her side to notice Luna’s remark. Even though I’m older she can still punch harder than me.

Who can punch harder than you? Are you two in some kind of pony fight club!

What? No Rainbow I assure Luna nor I are in a …Pony fight club.

Ahem, Both Rainbow and Celestia turned to face a serious Luna.

Has something happened sister?

Yeah did I do something wrong?

With a heavy sigh Luna lowered her head and looked at the ground.

No you two haven’t done anything wrong; I’m just a little upset that not a single pony accepted our offer. I don’t think I’ve ever been rejected before?

This whole weather team thing really means that much to you two huh?

Yes, Luna and I desperately wanted this to work and are a little saddened to see it fall apart.

Well I wish I could help but I could never leave Ponyville especially for a place like Canterlot, no offense but this city is full of….

Before Rainbow could finish her sentence Luna turned her gaze from the floor to Rainbow with a wide smile that even Pinkie would have a hard time trying to beat.

Rainbow!

What I was only gonna say uptight?

No not that I mean you can help us!

I can?

She can?

Um your highness's I think it would be best if you take your conversation to a more…private place don’t you think?

Celestia turned to face the guard that had addressed her only to see over his shoulder the irises of every Pony in the room. Nervously she asked.

Guard, where are you posted?

The front gate your highness, the commander heard someone shout “Rainbow” and sent me to investigate.

Uh Celestia.

Yes Rainbow?

The front gate is all the way on the other side of the castle isn’t it?

I...I think so, guard is this true?

Yes mam, the only reason I arrived in such record time was because of my magic.

As the guard left, Rainbow and Celestia turned to a blushing Luna.  She laughed nervously as she spoke.

He he well I believe he has a point perhaps we should go to the throne room to discuss this further?

Yes that will do nicely, would you be so kind as to oblige us Rainbow?

Sure why not.

Line breaker

The walk two the throne room lasted only ten minutes, and then the grand doors opened to an even grander room. Paving the way as some sort of road was a golden rug with dark blue outlines; the ceiling was littered in images which depicted Equestrias history featuring the two princesses more than once. To the left of the entrance was a large dining table made of everfree, a mysterious tree in the dark forest that went extinct some two hundred years ago. The table held many plates and dishes as though a feast was to happen at any moment. Behind the table was an archway that lead to a balcony overlooking Canterlot Castle gardens. However as beautiful and majestic these things seemed, none even compared to the thrones of the Deities. Two thrones stood next to each other both very different, but complimented each other perfectly. Lunas’ throne was dark shade of violet with matching armrest that curled down in a spiral form. The chairs design resembled a toilet with a wide lumbar support and the actual chair part was a mystery as a continuous fog streamed form it and gave who ever sat there a “floating” effect and the lumbar was cushioned with dark storm clouds. Princess Celestia’s throne was colored a golden yellow and its armrest were flat with shining orbs at the end, whenever she was alone in the throne room she would open the orbs which contained cider so strong that even the apple family couldn’t compete with it. The lumbar support was the same style as Lunas and reclined all the way as for the part where She sits, it was a cushion made up of clouds.

Now Luna I believe you had an idea.

Yeah what was that all about back there?

Well while you two were talking something one of the Pegasus said sparked an idea in me. That one Pegasus whose name I believe was blunder plane or something of the sort had said that without Rainbow the Ponyville weather team wouldn’t be where it is today.

Yes I remember somepony saying that sister but I still don’t see your point.

His name was Thunder Lane by the way, and I don’t see what this has to do with me.

Don’t you see Rainbow? The only reason The Ponyville weather team is any good is because of you! Without you they would just be an adequate run of the mill weather team. You trained them to do the best they can and then some and you even inspired them with a sense of loyalty to Ponyville so strong that they even turned down an offer from Celestia and I.

Sister what exactly are you suggesting?

Yeah cuz you’re starting to creep me out a little.

What I’m suggesting is that we offer Rainbow the opportunity to train a weather team for Canterlot!

Celestia simply stood still with a monotone expression and turned to a confused Rainbow. Rainbows’ face betrayed her feelings of skepticism.

Well now that I think about it, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea. What do you think Rainbow?

Well…It sounds like a good offer but I’m needed in Ponyville your highnesses.

Lunas expression changed from excitement to a serious yet amused tone.

Oh do not worry Rainbow you would only be here to train the weather team and once they are ready you are free to go. What do you say?

Rainbow if I may?

Nah go ahead.

While this is very sudden, I do hope that you will consider our offer. You will of course be compensated and Luna and I will personally oversee Ponyville’s weather in your absence.

I’m sorry Celestia but no amount of bits could make me leave Ponyville, and no offense but I would much rather run the towns weather than somepony else.

Oh Rainbow please reconsider, if there is anything that Celestia and I can give in exchange for your services please make it known.

Luna! Celestia shot her sister a dirty glare, she too wanted one less chore to deal with but she didn’t want it so badly as to try and bribe the element of loyalty, not to mention a close friend of Twilights’.

This is her decision Luna and we are to respect her choice and another thing…

Well your highness's, there is one thing I’ve always wanted…

Both Lunas’ and Celestias’ ears perked up and their heads turned to the cyan Pegasus.

Ever since I was a filly I’ve kind of always wanted to be a wonder bolt. That's really the only reason i work so hard. So if you two could maybe... get me into the tryouts…then ill train your weather team.

Luna stood dumbfounded and all she could mutter was

Is that all?

She once again found Celestia giving her a dirty look.

Are you sure Rainbow? Is there nothing else you desire? Celestia asked, with a hint of astonishment in her tone. Luna was faring no better as her face betrayed her shock. Here they were, offering somepony the offer of a lifetime. Anything she wanted could be hers, yet Rainbow only desired something as simple as an audition for the wonderbolts.

Luna found herself wondering why Rainbow had not asked for an actual spot on the team. She brought it up and Rainbow simply replied I don't want any special treatment and im afraid that the other members will think less of me if just asked for the spot without trying to get it.

So do we have a deal?

Celestia and Luna exchanged a quick glance and turned to Rainbow with wide smiles and even wider eyes, and in perfect unison the two Princesses responded.

Deal!