This Is Awkward

Sunset poked her head out of a bush before waving her foreleg forward and Silverspeed trotted forward, staring up at the castle.

“And just how do you plan on sneaking up into the castle from here?” Silverspeed questioned and gestured with a wing. “All I see is a open window, a leaky pipe and a wall.”

“Just you wait and see. When I was a filly, this is how I snuck out of the castle. And occasionally snuck back in,” Sunset answered and gave the pipe an experimental tug with her hoof.

Sunset inhaled and jumped up, grabbing the pipe with her forelegs and hind legs, planting her hooves against the wall before placing a hoof on the window sill with a grunt.

“Uhm Sunset?”

“I got this,” Sunset brushed off Silverspeed as the pipe groaned and Sunset placed another hoof on the window sill. “Just a few more seconds and-”

The pipe broke and Sunset’s eyes widened as she flailed her forelegs around in the air before being caught by the other pony.

“That’s what I was trying to warn you about. The pipe was breaking,” Silverspeed muttered and fluttered her wings. “Why don’t we just fly up and boom, we’re in? Why are we even sneaking in the castle? This is literally your home.”

“Oh. I like being sneaky. And no offense, but the castle guards tend to be loose lipped, especially when it comes to royalty. They like to gossip. The whole castle staff does it seems. Not as much as Rarity, but pretty damn close.”

Silverspeed had a feeling this was the exact opposite of sneaky. And the pipe breaking had been pretty loud. She wouldn’t be surprised if a guard patrol wasn’t on their way right now to investigate.

“Sound came from over here.” The two froze and gave each other worried looks as Sunset’s horn glowed and Silverspeed looked around. Sunset could easily teleport away but Silverspeed was a tall pony. None of the bushes nearby could hide her.

Two guards trotted around the corner and Silverspeed held her breath as they trotted right past her.

The pair of stallions trotted up to the pipe, one tugging at it curiously before kicking the broke part on the ground.

“Huh, weird,” the earth pony muttered and stared up at the window. “Guess it just randomly broke. It is pretty windy out tonight.”

“We’ll let the maintenance crew know. This pipe has been damaged for who knows how long. Surprised it didn’t happen sooner,” the other earth pony guard commented and rested his spear against his shoulder. “Let’s get back to patrol.”

“Mhm.”

Sunset and Silverspeed watched the two trotted away back to patrolling the grounds. Silverspeed let out her breath and Sunset canceled her invisibility spell.

“Invisibility spell. Comes in handy,” Sunset winked and nodded at Silverspeeds wings. “Come on, fly us up.”

Double Cross trotted down the halls, occasionally peering into empty rooms as two other earth pony guards trotted up to him.

“Sir.” The pair slowed to a stop and saluted him.

“Onyx, Maverick. You two are supposed to go patrolling the northern side of the castle. What are you doing in here?” Double Cross narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Dropping off a work order in maintenance. We found a broken water pipe on the outside of the castle,” Maverick answered and the stallion brushed his mane out of his eyes. “Sir.”

Double Cross slowed to a stop and stated at the two guards.

“What floor and was there a window opened?”

“Seventh floor and yeah. There was an open window,” Onyx answered and glanced at Maverick who nodded.

“Let’s go. I have a faint idea of who is breaking into the castle,” Double Cross rolled his dark green eyes. “She’s been doing this years.”

“Should we get our hoofcuffs and magical inhibitors if she’s a unicorn, sergeant?” Maverick asked and Double Cross shook his head with a frown.

“No, she’s harmless for the most part. And besides, we can’t arrest this mare,” Double Cross answered and gestured forward. “You two, walk with me.”

“Why can’t we arrest her? We’re royal guards and castle guards. These badges and armor doesn’t mean nothing. If she’s breaking in, she’s a threat to the Princesses,” Onyx pointed out in confusion. “What makes her so special?”

“Because she is Princess Celestia’s daughter and this is her house.”

Double Cross and the other two guards followed behind him with flashlights, shining them into some empty rooms.

Double Cross paused and read a number on the door before knocking on it.

“Open up,” Double Cross sighed and the door slowly opened. “Sunset, you’re bad at this.”

Onyx and Maverick pushed their helmets up and their hoof cuffs made a clinking sound against their armor.

“Thought they would have promoted you by now sergeant,” Sunset shot back and opened the door fully, Silverspeed peering out the window curiously. “It’s been awhile.”

“Indeed. Silverspeed, nice to see you,” Double Cross peered around Sunset and Silverspeed trotted over with a large smile to hug him. “You should have mentioned you were visiting. These two privates back here wanted to arrest you for breaking in and entering till I had to explain who you were.”

The other two rubbed their heads nervously before putting their flashlights away, saluting her and Sunset smirked.

“Nice to meet you both. Sunset Shimmer, element of magic. Silverspeed, element of loyalty and royal guard. You don’t have to salute or bow to me. I’m no better than you,” Sunset levitated their hooves down. “And don’t even think about addressing me as Princess Sunset.”

“Yes ma’am- er Sunset,” Onyx corrected and she nodded.

“Double Cross is like a uncle to me. He trained me everything I knew and was drill sergeant back in basic training. Small world, huh?” Silverspeed chuckled and nuzzled him. “How are you doing?”

“Good and it’s nice to see you again kid. Element of harmony, huh? Knew you were going places,” Double Cross smiled at him. “I see you’re using your old hide out. Would you like us to get you anything from the kitchen? Lemon Hearts is working tonight.”

Sunset’s eyes lit up widely and she danced excitedly. Lemon Hearts was probably her favorite baker in the castle, though she never got an opportunity to tell her that.

“Yes please. A few sandwiches, drinks, two trays of Lemon Hearts lemon bars. And a large container of mint ice cream. Please and thank you. And please keep my presence here a secret. I don’t want my mom or aunt knowing I’m her. I don’t like giving orders, but this is one.”

“As you wish,” Double Cross bowed his head slightly. “Let’s go. Good soldiers follow orders.”

“Good soldiers follow orders,” the other two chorused and Silverspeed nodded.

“Thank you. And now the two of us have a gaming session to get back to.”

“Me beating your ass is more like it,” Silverspeed shot back and the two shared a laugh.

“We will see, won’t we?”

Silverspeed had a feeling she was going to be up all night.