The bathroom floor was made of marble and the appliances were made up of brass and bronze. I hun my clothing up on a rail and turned on the bathtub water. It flowed from the nozzle and I tested the temperature. Just right. I stepped inside and took a nice, long, relaxing shower.
20 minutes later
I stepped out of the shower, feeling nice and clean. I walked over to the towel rack and grabbed one, drying off my mane. After doing so, I flattened it and dried the rest of me. I was walking over to my cloths when I passed a mirror. I paused and looked myself up and down. I liked my mane flat and smooth, but I knew it could not stay like that. I continued on and put on my cloths. I opened the bathroom door and stepped out, relishing the fresh air from the balcony. I grabbed the pocket watch and the little gears and continued on my way out of the room. As I walked out, I was greeted by a guard.
"I am ordered to escort you to the Royal Dinning Hall, ma'am." He said. He was in full armor, consisting of bronze plating and brass gears to help improve performance. He wore a helmet that covered his entire head, connecting with the bronze plates. The helmet was made up of mostly bronze, and one eyes hole was covered in a green lens while the other one had an vision adjuster on it. I nodded and he turned to the side and walked down the hall. I knew where the Dinning Hall was, but having a guard escort you in war-times was best. You never know what evil could be lurking around the corner. I got lost in my thoughts as we walked, so much that I nearly bumped into the guard when he stopped and opened the door for me.
"Thank you, sire." I said as I bowed.
"T'was my pleasure, ma'am." He responded. I gave him a quick smile before walking into the Dinning Hall. I immediately saw Princess Celestia talking to a guard at the end of the large table. Other high-class ponies were eating and gossiping all around the room. I walked down to the Princess's end, but I was stopped by a guard.
"None may see the Princess." He stated blankly. I gave him a sad look, but he held firm. I then decided to use that womanly charm that worked so well here. I reached up and gave him a kiss, which caused him to immediately blush. I then pushed him aside and as I walked past him, I gave him a wink.
"Ah, charm, you never fail me." I thought happily to myself. I continued walking until I was within speaking distance with the Princess.
"Hello Celestia." I said, slightly bowing. Celestia turned and smiled.
"Greetings, Larkspur." She said calmly. She shooed the guard away and I sat where he had been.
"Now, about this war." I started.
"Awful. Nightmare Moon's army is most likely to win." She said. She put her face in her hooves and began to weep softly. I put my hoof on her back and rubbed her. She seemed to calm down a little when I did this. After a while, she looked back up, her eyes red.
"Tell me why it is going so badly." I said soothingly. Celestia sniffed a little before answering.
"She uses a Clockwork army."
"A Clockwork army? Never heard of that term." I said, taking my hoof off her back.
"That's because their so hard to use, but once you know how, they are highly effective." She began to explain. "A Clockwork Army is a, well, a Clockwork Pony is a mechanical being cheaply created. And, when used right and maintained properly, can be a deadly adversary."
"Well, that's int-" I started before a massive blast of magic shot through the wall.
"Sorry!" We heard somepony down the hole yell. I noticed Celestia facehoofed.
"Umm…." I said. "What…Just happened?"
"Excuse me. Go off and do whatever it is Steves do. And do get to the 136-B dockyard." Princess Celestia said to me before walking towards the hole. She reached the edge and walked down into it. I shrugged and stood up. The other Ponies had already begun to talk and chat again, so I didn't stick out. I walked out of the Dinning hall and out into the gardens.
"What a lovely day." I said aloud. I continued to walk around the garden until I got bored looking at statues and flowers. I decided to give my wings a test. I hung my coat on a statue's spear and spread my wings wide. With one powerful push, I was off and soaring. I did a large loop and a barrel roll. I then really tested my flying prowess. I combined the two and spun around as I did a loop. I finished the maneuver and flew down to the ground. I landed softly in the lush grass and walked back over to the statue. I sat on the pedestal, next to my coat, and caught my breath. Flying really takes a lot out of you.
"OH MY CELES-" I heard a very excited voice say nearby. I looked off in the direction of the voice and saw a cyan pegasus with a mane that went up the grey-scale. She was wearing a leather jacket and had a leather hat and goggles on her head. She was covering her mouth with her hoof, no doubt trying to hide the large grin she had on.
"Can I help you?" I asked. She seemed to die right then, for she simply stood there, gawking. I got up and stood next to her. I began to wave my hoof in front of her head. She didn't blink.
"What ever." I said, shrugging. I walked back to my coat and put it on. I began walking to the exit to the of the gardens before the pegasus stopped me.
"Do you know who I am?" She asked excitedly.
"Um.. Not really." I said honestly.
"I'm Lightning Dash, Fastest flyer in all of Equestria!" She cited. I sighed and walked on, ignoring her. She lost herself in her own rant as I walked away. I left the Canterlot gardens and entered Canterlot itself. I walked down the road, watching the automobiles pass by. As one passed by, it splashed mud all over me. I instantly recoiled and looked at myself, covered in mud and grim.
"Oh Dear! Here, let me help." A white pony said as she rushed over to me. She had on a pair of spectacles and a dark blue corset covered with a very large poofy purple dress. She quickly used her magic to wipe off most of the mud, but some had soaked into the fabric. "Oh Dear, Oh Dear, Oh Dear." She continued.
"Here, come with me. Let's get you cleaned off properly, shall we?" She said. I had no choice but to oblige. She tugged me after her, down the street and into what looked to be a dressmaker's.
"This isn't going to end well." I thought as she tugged me into the shop