Dragonshy

Celestia walked down a hallway, her hoof steps being the only sound as her two guards stopped outside a closed door as Celestia examined some pictures hanging on the wall before knocking softly.

“Enter!” Spitfire called out and one of the guards opened the door with his magic. Celestia nodded gratefully at him and trotted inside. Spitfire was at her desk with a stack of paperwork in front of her. “What do you want, Soarin? You’re supposed to be out there with Fleetfoot and Blaze. You should be an example at following orders.”

“He’s doing quite a good job at it,” Celestia said casually and Spitfire stiffened before glancing around the mountain of paperwork with wide eyes as she hastily stood up and saluted.

“My apologies Princess. I thought you were somepony else. How can I assist you today?” Spitfire asked and Celestia examined some medals on the wall.

“Easy Captain Spitfire,” Celestia chuckled and Spitfire relaxed as she lowered her hoof. “I’m hoping I can borrow a couple of your Wonderbolts for a few days. I’ve heard reports from some nearby towns about a rogue dragon.”

“As you order Princess. I’ll get my best on it ma’am,” Spitfire answered and Celestia gave her a smile.

“So you mean yourself?” Celestia teased and Spitfire turned a faint pink.

“Well, yes ma’am. Along with Soarin, Wave Chill, Rapidfire, Misty and Blaze.”

“I see. Well, I’m ready when you are,” Celestia commented and Spitfire paused, giving her a startled look.

“Princess?”

“Yes, I will be joining you. I do enjoy a good adventure, after all,” Celestia winked at Spitfire. “Shall we go get our fellow compatriots?”

“I-I guess so,” Spitfire muttered and closed her jaw. “After you Princess.”

“Thank you. And I trust you’re keeping our secret?” Celestia asked as the two both walked out and started trotting down the hall, both of the Royal Guards immediately flanking them.

“Yes ma’am. I’m not sure we are allowed to speak about this in front of them,” Spitfire nodded subtly at the stoic looking guards.

“Wind Vapor and Storm Skies are my two most trusted guards. They will not say a word, Captain.”

“Permission to speak freely then, your Highness?” Spitfire asked and Celestia glanced at her before nodding.

“Granted as always, my little pony.”

Spitfire shook her head slightly. Celestia for some reason always called her that for unknown reasons. Most ponies were surprised that Spitfire regularly had meetings with Princess Celestia and occasionally Princess Luna.

“Keeping Sunset in the dark about your plans for her will only backfire. Once she finds out that you, me and Raven orchestred the Elements meeting, she’s going to be angry. Hell, if I was in her horseshoes, I’d be fuming.”

“It was for the best. And I stay out of Sunset’s life for the most part except to give a gentle nudge here and there. Sunset had to realize they were her friends, not me shoving them down her throat. If I tried to force her to befriend them, it’d only push her away. There’s more than a million universes out there and in more than one, I push Sunset away. I do not intend to follow in their hoofsteps,” Celestia answered as Spitfire gave her a stunned look.

“A million universes? How is that even possible?”

“Not even I know the answer to that, my little pony. I doubt Luna herself fully understands it. And we didn’t truly have a hoof in the Elements meeting. They all resided in Ponyville. That town is also Silverspeed’s home since she was a kid. Sunset made the decision to allow them to get close to her and followed them in the Everfree instead of going alone.”

“I suppose so. I don’t know much about any of them or this Sunset Shimmer. I just hope this whole plan you have for her doesn’t blow up in your face,” Spitfire said and Celestia sighed before she added, “ma’am.”

“You and me both Captain, you and me both.”

Raindrops stood warily on the ground as she eyed Trixie and the box next to her that had locks and chains all over it.

“What the hay is that?” Raindrops asked finally and Trixie gave a frustrated stomp of her hind leg.

“Does Trixie have to explain it again?” Trixie exclaimed and rolled her eyes as she trotted around the box. “Okay. I will go inside, correct?”

“Uh huh.”

“Trixie will get locked inside without the key,” Trixie continued and levitated a key in the air. “See?”

“Yes Trixie, I see the key,” Raindrops sighed and examined the box again. “I’m not so sure about this one. This one seems worrying.”

“At least it’s not like the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive that you said was,” Trixie scoffed and slammed the door shut and Raindrops gave a startled jump followed by a whinny.

“You could die!”

“I could die walking down the damn street!” Trixie shot back incredulously. “I could get struck by lightning or eaten! I just need the right unicorn to help. Sunset refused because she’s worried I’ll die.”

Thank Celestia, Raindrops thought to herself and they both jumped at a loud shout coming from Roseluck’s house.

“What the hell was that?” Raindrops asked and Trixie shrugged.

“Roseluck or Daisy fighting with Lily. Or Daisy fighting Lily. They are such unique personalities, it’s mind blowing. Or they could have hurt themselves. Gardening is a dangerous job. More so than a magician.”

Raindrops gave her a doubtful look. Trixie seemingly loved dangerous tricks more than anything else. The more dangerous the trick, the more ponies she attracted to her shows, which got her more bits. Trixie may not seem it, but Trixie was actually very smart and a good business pony.

Trixie trotted slowly to the window and peered in with Raindrops behind her. Lily and Roseluck stood in their living room as Daisy hastily stood between them.

“I swear, you ruin my life!” Lily shouted and Roseluck’s eyes widened before she glared back.

“Oh save it, Lily. If anything you ruined my life. I spent my bits on those flowers, I get to plant them when I want!” Roseluck shouted back as the two mares watching both gave each other worried looks.

“I helped with the bits so cut the shit! And they’re our bits, this is our family business!” Lily exclaimed and Daisy pushed Lily back. Trixie inhaled and opened the front door as some ponies watched warily.

“What in Equestria started this?” Trixie asked with a raised eyebrow and Daisy shrugged helplessly.

“I don’t even know. I woke up to these two going at it worse than they’ve ever been. Get Roseluck outside or something. The green house is empty,” Daisy grunted and shoved Lily into a chair. “Sit down. I got some migraine from you two screaming at each other.”

“Alright,” Trixie started pushing Roseluck out of the door. “Move it, Rose. Lily scares me and she’s mad. I don’t want to be around when she snaps again and goes all crazy.”

“I am not crazy, just pissed!” Lily screamed through the door and Trixie faintly made out Daisy shouting back louder.

“What the fuck was that?” Trixie asked and Roseluck shrugged as the two headed for the greenhouse.

“We bought these really rare flower seeds and I planted them. Don’t know what has her mane all tied up,” Roseluck scowled and kicked some dirt. “Poor Daisy got woken up and ran down the stairs so fast. Never seen Daisy run so quick in all my life.”

“Huh. Well, you can assist the Great and Powerful Trixie with her magic tricks!” Trixie exclaimed and stood on her hindlegs, throwing down a smoke bomb.

Roseluck coughed repeatedly and glared at Trixie as the smoke disappeared.

“Oops?”