Fallen Eagle
Chapter 86: Dishonor's Return
Hello to all my loyal readers, and welcome back to another chapter! Well, since there is no more show for G4, there's really not that much to talk about is there? Yeah, it's an odd feeling knowing that there are no new episodes to look forward to and talk about each weekend anymore. However, I can say that of the eight episodes I've seen of Pony Life, I can admit I've honestly been enjoying it so far! I know some fans are divided on it, but I truly enjoy the comedy and some of the quirks that come along with the show. It IS weird seeing things like phones and tablets around being operated by our beloved little ponies, but it's a unique charm to it that helps to separate it from Friendship is Magic.
Anyway, last time on Fallen Eagle, we got to see both Ivan and Applejack comforting one another after a truly hellish visit to Aunt and Uncle Orange's apartment. Now, the characters must face a hardship from their past, something that Ivan has no past with himself...
The It: Those are good guesses! Let's see if turns out to be correct!
headreviewermk2: Gonna take that as a good thing...maybe? :P
MonkeyBoy0118: Wow man, I hope things turn out for the best for you! I'm glad the chapter was still able to meet your expectations!
Anon: Thank you so much! I don't know about "soon," since it takes me forever to upload a chapter nowadays with my busy schedule. Not sure how many chapters are left, but the final big plot point is set to begin soon.
Bladewolf101: Funnily enough, I originally DID begin writing the story intending for that to happen, but the more enthralled I became with the show back in 2014, AJ just became my favorite pony and I wanted them to be together instead, so I just wrote Ivan and Luna to be really close friends.
Sam Fraser: That was beautiful.
Well guys, here we go! I hope you all enjoy Chapter 86!
(Sweet Apple Acres; Ivan's POV)
Our return home to Sweet Apple Acres was exactly what Applejack and I needed. A night full of stuffing our faces with junk food from hotel room service, surrounded by friends that drowned us with unconditional support and love certainly helped our moods before we departed from Manehattan. However, that sweet smell of fresh grass, trees and apples; the feeling of dirt crunching beneath my feet; the sound of rustling leaves in the gentle Summer breeze and seeing the Apple family's loving, welcoming faces as we walked side by side onto the farm was the perfect remedy to cure the heartache that we were poisoned with in Manehattan. Unfortunately, there was still one more mountain to climb before the cure could take affect on our broken hearts.
Naturally, Applejack and I coming clean to Granny Smith, Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom about what Heirloom and Julia said and did to the both of us was another uphill challenge in of itself, especially for AJ. I mean, how do you simply tell your immediate family that the aunt and uncle that took you in as a child after your parents died suddenly disowned you because of your choice in a mate? Despite Applejack's brightened face and big toothy grin upon hugging her family, I could still see that fear in her eyes of what she had to tell them. She wasn't going to do it alone; I was never happier to be by her side. My whole hand had gone completely numb from squeezing her hoof so hard for that entire conversation.
Such as with the hatred and disgust that plagued Heirloom and Julia's faces, the looks of rage, horror and sorrow that Granny Smith, Big Mac and Apple Bloom reacted with to the news would haunt me for the foreseeable future. It was excruciating to see the tears streaking down Apple Bloom's face as the little filly was overwhelmed with grief, but giving her a tight hug and holding her by my side helped to mend that heartache. Honestly though, I felt that we were just lucky that Big Mac's stomping of his hooves as he attempted to withhold his anger didn't put a hole through the floor of the house. Then again, it was both impressive and a little frightening at how it took the strength of me, Applejack and Big Mac holding Granny Smith back from boarding the next train to Manehattan to pay Heirloom and Julia a little visit. I swear that if we had failed….well, it's best not to think about what could've happened with that particular venture.
"All right, Ah think we're just 'bout done her fer the night, hun," Applejack said as she spit a hammer from her mouth and into her hoof. She proceeded to proudly holster it back into the tool belt strapped around her waistline, the orange mare taking a moment to sigh and soak in the hard work we had accomplished for the day. Between both of us and her family, a huge chunk of the orchard had been harvested and brought to Ponyville's market before resuming work on our new bedroom's construction. Applejack wiped the sweat forming on her brow. "It's comin' along great, Ivan. Just gotta finish markin' the door frame 'n we're done!" She announced.
Unfortunately, despite her being less than a foot away, I didn't hear much of what she was saying. I found myself stuck in a kneeling position, knees seemingly glued to the concrete foundation of our future bedroom with a hammer of my own in hand. The reunion with her immediate kin had continued to play and rewind over and over again in my mind as we focused on the house expansion, preventing me from getting up to complete the simple task of drawing and squaring off a spot on the wall to cut out for our bedroom's door. It had already been a whole two days since we'd returned from our ill-fated trip to Manehattan, yet I struggled to remove the faces of Granny Smith, Big Mac and Apple Bloom from my head. Applejack and I knew full well that we had their support over our relationship and future child, but I still failed to shake the negative thoughts of the upcoming family reunion. Was my presence and relationship with AJ going to doom her grandmother, brother and sister's relationship with the rest of their clan? What would happen if any of their other cousins, aunts, uncles etc hated what we had to say?
"Ivan?" AJ called out my name again. When I still failed to acknowledge her call with an answer, she then snorted and smirked, giving me a light smack on the rear.
"Ah!" I jumped from the touch up onto my feet. "Oh uh, what's that, AJ?" I blinked and rubbed the spot on my rump that she had smacked. It didn't hurt me at all; a surprise smack from a hoof just took a minute to go away.
"Hehehe," AJ snickered, trying to swallow her giggles from my reaction, but it was for naught. The country mare let out several hearty guffaws, wrapping a foreleg around my waist to pull me in close. "Oh Sugarcube, ya know Ah love how strong yer nerves are, but it's still one heckuva show when Ah manage to catch ya with yer guard down," she gifted me with an ear to ear grin and snuggled her cheek into my side.
"Y-yeah," I stuttered in response, even throwing in a forced chortle in the hopes that Applejack wouldn't be too worried about my sudden silence. I attempted to sit up from my knees, but the quick grasp of an orange foreleg around my waist held me down. "Uh, AJ?"
Applejack's own chuckling subsided, leaving us in a brief moment of silence as she hugged me tight with her one foreleg. "What's eatin' ya up, Sugarcube? Everythin' seemed fine a few minutes ago when we were hammerin' away," she gently asked, placing her other hoof over my hand that was still tightly gripping my own hammer.
'You really thought she would let that pass?' I asked myself, rolling my eyes at my own naivety. With a sigh, I relinquished the hold I had on the tool's handle, allowing it to fall to the dirt between the floor joists of our future bedroom. All the while, Applejack's hoof never moved from my hand.
"I know this sounds like how I did before we left for….Manehattan," I paused; the city's name still harbored some dark feelings for the both of us, "but I still can't get your family's reaction out of my head. I'm just a bit worri-" I attempted to explain myself, but I was cut off when Applejack rapidly raised a hoof to my lips. The dry, cracked and callous appendage gingerly forced my mouth closed as I looked back into her beautiful green eyes that glistened with patience and comfort.
"Ah think Ah know where this is goin', Ivan," she let out another loving chuckle. Her hoof slid down from my lips as her other foreleg uncoiled from my waist, "Come 'ere, Sugarcube," AJ beckoned and turned around in her spot, plopping down onto her haunches. A quick patting of the concrete foundation from her prompted me to move faster. I sat up from my knees, only to sit right back down next to her so that we were both facing the orchard.
Once in position, Applejack wasted no time in cuddling up against me, letting out a relaxed sigh. I was only happy to snake my arm around her torso, pulling her even closer until she adjusted her head against my chest. "Thanks hun," I said as I began massaging her chest in tiny strokes.
"Ah've known ya long enough ta see when ya need some calmin' down, Ivan," Applejack whinnied from my touch, repaying the favor by rubbing her hoof across my back.
"Mhmm," I nodded, relishing in her efforts to bring my head back level. "I really should stop trying to beat around the bush with you," I admitted as we continued to enjoy the soothing feeling of holding one another. The scenery of her family's orchard, complete with the backdrop of Celestia's sun dipping below the treeline and bathing the leaves in a gorgeous pink and orange glow only added to Applejack's attempts to put me at ease. The two of us cuddling close was relaxing enough, but the beautiful sight before us was helping to melt away the worry and anxiety that was clouding my mind only moments before.
"Yer darn tootin' ya do, Sugarcube," Applejack agreed. Her voice remained delicate and patient rather than stern and short like it normally sounded whenever she uttered the phrase. Tearing my eyes away from the sunset drenched orchard, I gazed down at the amazing mare I loved, thinking of how the two of us would become three in a mere several months, only to be met with her own emerald orbs peeking out from the brim of her cowgirl hat. Our eyes locked for no more than a few seconds before I cleared my throat, remembering that despite Applejack quickly catching on that something was bugging me, I still had yet to answer her question.
"Sure is a beautiful night coming on," I spat out and darted my eyes back and forth between AJ and the orchard in front of us.
Applejack looked bewildered for a brief moment. Her free foreleg slowly raised her stetson so she could get a better look at me in her puzzlement. She then let out a snicker, "Heh, A-Ah s'pose it is," Applejack leaned up and pecked my cheek. As the heat rose in my cheeks from her affections, her tail rose up and knocked the hat from her mane and onto her other foreleg where she gently lowered it beside her. With her mane completely uncovered, the mare snuggled right back up against me, settling right into the crook of my neck where she whinnied comfortably.
My hand, seemingly on a mission of its own, went lower on her torso as it continued to rub her chest. I could feel her strong muscles gradually give way to the soft pudginess of her few month old pregnant belly, our baby's current home. I ceased rubbing; a sudden desire to just hold my hand against her small baby bump had reared up. Although we both were one-hundred percent on board with our child, the thought of being a parent was still slightly alien to me. However, the peaceful feeling of holding both my girlfriend and our future son or daughter at once was simply indescribable. Lowering my head, I took a quick sniff of my girlfriend's mane, savoring the smell of her cinnamon scented shampoo and sweat before peppering her ear with kisses. "I love you….the both of you," I whispered to her as my hand began to rub her belly in small circles.
Applejack's ear twitched like crazy from the loving attention I was devoting to it, though the mare kept her composure as my affections were intended to show my love for her rather than trying to be a little naughty. "Ah love ya too, Ivan," she whispered back, rubbing her freckled cheek against my neck. "An' our baby's just as excited ta see ya as we're excited ta see it, hun," she added, her hoof joining my hand on her belly.
I pulled away from her kissing her ear and rested my chin on her head. Sighing, I cocked my head and nuzzled my cheek against her mane. Guilt had begun to balloon within me as more time slipped by with me leaving Applejack's question unanswered. Despite the fact that she practically knew what was bothering me, I couldn't shake the gnawing feeling at the back of my head that I was pretty much ignoring her attempt to help me. "I'm sorry, hun," came the inevitable apology.
"Hmm?" She hummed in response.
I gulped. "Well, I just can't get your family's faces out of my head. You know, when we came home and had to tell them how our trip went?" I admitted as my eyes clenched shut, cutting the peaceful view of Sweet Apple Acres off from my vision. That pain was still there, lurking away in the shadows like a monster ready to pounce whenever the incident was brought up. A sharpness, like that of a knife, hit me in the chest as images of Granny Smith, Big Mac and Apple Bloom surfaced in the black void of my closed eyes.
The next thing I knew, Applejack's golden blonde mane slid out from under my chin, causing my head to momentarily dip down from lack of support. "Huh?" I snapped back up, gazing down at the mare in my grasp to see what was going on.
"Sugarcube," AJ's southern twang whispered, "It's only been two days. Ah can't blame ya fer that hangin' around yer mind," she reassured me with a gentle touch of her hoof to my chest. "Heck, that whole day ain't gonna leave me fer awhile, hun," she weakly sighed, allowing her gaze to slip down to the dirt below.
"I know," I slowly nodded in agreement, "and even though we talked about this in our hotel room, your family's reaction the day after just has me filled with a little doubt," I bit my bottom lip. "I still believe that the rest of your family won't be so….aggressive with their response, but I can't stop worrying how distraught Granny Smith, Big Mac and Apple Bloom might become if they lose even more family members, especially at a family reunion."
My heart began to race. "I-I mean, what if Apple Bloom's cousin Babs Seed stops talking to her because of me?" I asked, recalling how much Apple Bloom loved to write letters to her Manehattanite cousin. The thought of the little filly losing a good friend in her cousin made me sick to my stomach.
Applejack's hoof moved from my chest to my cheek faster than I could blink. Its effects were nearly instantaneous. Focusing on her face gradually began to reduce my heart rate as well as get my breathing under control. More importantly, however, it got me to shut up. "Hey now," she gently said, caressing her hoof around the side of my face. "It's okay, Ivan. Ah know exactly what y'all are talkin' about."
"Y-You do?" I blinked.
"Eeyup. In fact, that was one o' mah biggest fears after what Uncle Heirloom 'n Aunt Julia did," AJ's comforting smile faltered, yet she remained vigilant and refused to let the awful memory stop her from comforting me. "Just remember, Ivan, y'all were the one who told me that we ain't got any control over how others react to our lil miracle here." I suppressed a little whine as the mare's hoof slipped away from my cheek before gently landing on her pudgy stomach, rubbing it lovingly.
"I-I know, hun," I replied, the memory of me telling her that had come flooding back. "And I still understand that, but I just don't want to cost your family relationships that they've had for, literally, their entire lives."
"Neither do Ah, Ivan," Applejack craned her neck back up until we once again locked eyes. "All we can do is hope 'n pray that the Apples are bit more understandin' than the Oranges. Just remember that Granny Smith, Big Mac 'n Apple Bloom love ya like a member o' this family 'n that they support whatever we do. No matter what happens at this reunion in a few weeks, they'll still stand beside the both of us."
"Y-Yeah, I understand, Applejack," I admitted. The thought of not knowing just what was going to happen when every member of Applejack's family turns up at Sweet Apple Acres was weighing down my optimism of getting to meet them. "Still, it doesn't help how tense this is making me. I honestly wish that it was already happening so I'd stop thinking the worst," I swallowed.
"Oh, ya don't know the half of it, Ivan," AJ agreed. "Normally, Ah'm more jazzed up than a jack rabbit on sugar canes 'bout gettin' ta see mah family. This year though? Ah don't like this feelin' that mah guts gettin' all knotted up," she sighed.
There was little we could do, that much we knew. At least we were on the same page apprehensively-speaking. As Celestia's sun finally disappeared behind the horizon, and her version of Luna's night painted the sky, I pulled Applejack in even closer. A feeling of determination had sparked within me. "I'm still not backing down from telling your family AJ, no matter how much it scares me."
There was a short pause before Applejack responded. The mare took in a long, deep breath, nickering loudly. "Same here, Ivan," she smiled at me as we leaned in closer until our lips touched. That spark soon ignited into a rain of fire as the two of us became entangled in my arms and her forelegs, holding each other as we kissed for dear life. In that short time, nothing else mattered. The thought of her family's reaction to her pregnancy? Gone. Our trip to Manehattan? It felt like an eternity ago. All that mattered to the two of us at that very moment underneath Luna's stars that her sister had formed was me, AJ and our child growing within her womb.
We finally pulled away for air, a thin line of saliva still connected our lips as we huffed and puffed and stared into each other's eyes. "The door can wait, Ivan. We've done more than enough fer one day," Applejack dipped her face into my neck and began to lightly lap at it just the way I liked it.
I suppressed a few moans, trying to keep this moment more loving than passionate and hot. However, AJ was becoming insatiable as her lapping increased in speed. I finally couldn't hold it anymore and let out a moan, leaning down so I could nibble on her ear as payback.
"Ahem," the sound of someone clearing their throat completely shattered the moment. "I hope I'm not interrupting," Twilight Sparkle's voice abruptly silenced the adult noises that were coming from both my and Applejack's mouths.
"Twilight!" I pulled away and stood up, making Applejack grunt in annoyance. The country mare hopped up from her seat and adjusted her stetson, a small glare forming on her face as she battled a blush to keep it from appearing on her cheeks.
"Can we help ya, Twilight?" She asked, clearing her own throat and trying her best to not sound like she'd been stripped of a private moment.
"Apologies," Twilight bowed her head, trying to hide the blush on her cheeks, "but I didn't know how long you two would be. I've been standing in front of you two for several minutes trying to get your attention," she explained.
"Ohhhh," a blush of my own rushed to the surface of my face.
AJ snorted and took in a deep breath. "Alright then, so what's goin' on Twilight? Ya don't come over at night unless it's real important," she asked with a cocked eyebrow, having calmed herself after becoming momentarily perturbed.
The lavender alicorn's face fell, producing a small scroll from one of the saddlebags adorning her back. I immediately recognized the royal seal from Celestia's personal desk that held the red ribbon together and kept the parchment rolled up. A feeling of concern sparked within my gut; the fact it was from Celestia herself and Twilight was delivering it personally after the sun had gone down couldn't have been a good sign. Twilight's magenta magic levitated the scroll over and into my hand.
"You're right, Applejack, but this is important. I'm sorry that I only just got this, but Princess Celestia wrote to me to tell us that Spitfire's parole hearing is set to be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock sharp," Twilight explained as I unraveled the parchment to reveal Celestia's elegant writing.
"Oh….her," Applejack growled before her face softened. The farming mare's lips pursed as she thought of what to say next. "How's Rainbow takin' it, Twi?"
Twilight frowned. "Let's just say, it's a good thing we're all invited so we can show her support," she looked solemnly at the ground.
I recalled the morning that Celestia invited Twilight, AJ, Rainbow, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie to Canterlot. That was the day Etherea showed up in town trying to convince everypony that I was a mindless, violent beast. Rainbow Dash was one wrong step away from ripping Etherea's wings off when we interrogated the red cunt, all because Spitfire's parole hearing had been set.
Despite AJ and I fighting our own demons, our friend had one of her own to face tomorrow. By God, I wasn't going to let her fight it alone. Looking up from the scroll, I asked, "What time does the train leave?" as I handed the parchment back to the Princess of Friendship.
(The Next Day, Canterlot Castle; Ivan's POV)
Tick…..tock. Tick…..tock. I exhaled loudly as the second hand of a nearby clock resembling Celestia's cutie mark ticked by at a snail's pace. Having known me for over a year now, all of my friends should know that I'm anything but a clock watcher. Even when I struggled with my battle against the guilt over the death of my parents, I still had Adam and my duties as an Air Force pilot to keep me occupied from becoming too isolated, at least physically. However, the uncomfortable atmosphere that currently flooded the corridor outside of Celestia and Luna's throne room was so dreadful that it was difficult to strike up a conversation with anypony. Heck, it was downright soul crushing that someone as talkative as Starlight's friend Trixie could barely muster a word with anyone.
Even the Wonderbolts, whom I hadn't seen in quite awhile, had a difficult time talking with any of us. Not that I could blame them, Soarin especially after the heinous atrocity his former Captain committed against him. Still, it absolutely sucked that in spite of my eagerness to see them and my want to catch up with them, the current situation prevented anything of the sort from cropping up. We had at least said a hello to each other, but nothing beyond an emotionless, "Hey."
We all were fully aware that bringing up any other topic would just be one of us dodging the reason of why we were brought together. Clop, clop, clop. That is until the clopping of hooves against the polished marble flooring ripped my attention away from the sun clock on the wall.
"Hey Rainbow….how are you holding up?" Starlight cautiously broke away from Trixie and approached the Wonderbolt mare across the hall. Her right foreleg was outstretched, reaching for the shoulder of her rainbow-maned friend who was sitting on her hunches in a slump. Her boyfriend, Soarin, was right by her side, a wing draped over her back to comfort the pegasus. Because she was still under Twilight's tutelage for learning the importance of friendship, it wasn't a shock at all that she was trying to apply one of the most basic lessons in the subject: Cheering up a distraught friend in need.
I grimaced as I saw Rainbow's glowering face reflected in the corridor window as she stared down at the city of Canterlot below. She hadn't said a single word since we met at the train station earlier this morning in Ponyville. I felt awful for my friend having to face someone, whom she trusted with her very life and future, that tried to ruin her boyfriend's career in such an evil way. Not to mention, someone who fought Rainbow and physically injured her after her scheme was unveiled. My body shuddered with a brief flash of anger at the thought, but I was also worried for Starlight. Despite her good intentions to placate a friend, I hadn't a clue how Rainbow Dash's current demeanor would make her react to the unicorn attempting to speak with her.
I quickly scanned my eyes around the large, gaping hallway, to see that everypony else, even Remington the Royal Guard that was standing outside the throne room doors, had taken note of Starlight's action. What once was an uncomfortable silence of about a dozen and a half creatures exchanging uneasy glances was now a tense silence of numerous eyes fixated on the trio of ponies on the other side of the corridor, waiting to see just how Rainbow Dash would react, if at all.
Starlight's hoof finally connected with Rainbow's shoulder, the unicorn looking extremely nervous from what the window reflected of her. Still, through an apprehensive grin on her face, Starlight stood firm and awaited a response from Rainbow Dash.
Soarin cringed, fearful of what Starlight's friendly intentions could spell for the unicorn should Rainbow Dash's emotions take control of her actions. Through the reflection of the glass, the cyan pegasus' face fell even more, her eyes creepily drifting from the view of the city below to the light purple hoof touching her shoulder.
No one in the close vicinity could breathe as the events unfolded before our eyes, and Rainbow Dash finally spoke her first words of the day. "How am I holding up?" She croaked through her clenched jaws.
Starlight's pupils briefly shrank to the size of pinpricks before returning to their normal size. She quickly retracted her hoof from Rainbow's shoulder, letting it hang in the air, unable to put it down to the marble floor. Chuckling uneasily, the unicorn started to sweat, her eyes darting around the large group in search of her mentor for guidance.
"Dashie…." Soarin's wing gently rubbed his girlfriend's torso in an effort to calm her down. "She's only trying to help."
"I can see that, Soarin," Rainbow growled, her eyes steadily glued on the stuck Starlight beside her. The aforementioned alicorn on our side of the hall frantically waved her hoof, beckoning her protégé to come back and give our distressed friend the space she required.
I had to give Starlight credit. Even if her attempts turned out to be a bust, she at least tried to give her friend some reassurance. I was more than positive that Twilight would say the same thing to Starlight when the timing was a little more appropriate.
An audible gulp sounded from Starlight's throat; she turned to retreat back for some comfort and wisdom from Twilight. Maybe she'd even formulate a plan with the bookworm to try again after the hearing. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sorrow for Starlight as I saw the almost sickly look on her face. Biting her lower lip, brows furrowed, ears lazily flopping to the side of her head and eyes moving from the reflective flooring for the lavender alicorn ahead of her, she looked absolutely crushed.
"You really want to know how I'm doing?" Rainbow hissed. Starlight froze, unable to move or even turn to acknowledge that Rainbow was replying to her in the same aggressive manner she originally retorted back with to the unicorn.
"Now Rainbow," Applejack took a few steps forward, coming to Starlight's defense. "She's just tryin ta help make ya feel better like Soarin said." Despite Starlight still working towards officially gaining the trust of several of us, it did make me feel proud of AJ to be a little protective of Starlight since she was making a valiant attempt to apply the lessons she learned from Twilight to a situation like this. Though I had to admit, I was skeptical of just how Trixie would react to the way Rainbow was speaking to Starlight. Keeping an eye on the showpony, I could see that she was watching the rainbow-maned pegasus as carefully as a hunter watched their target, never once blinking.
"I don't care, Applejack," Rainbow Dash glared at both Applejack and Starlight. "She so badly wanted to know how I was doing, didn't she?!"
"Dashie!" Soarin exclaimed, getting in between his girlfriend and my girlfriend and Starlight. "I know you're upset, sweetie, we all are," his right wing gestured towards the entirety of their teammates strewn about the cavernous foyer. Rainbow snorted, taking a brief look at her silent teammates who just looked warily back at her. "I just don't think you should take it out on a friend of yours," he shot an apologetic look towards Starlight who had finally gathered the courage to turn around and face the short-fused pegasus.
"I'm not taking it out on anypony!" Rainbow exclaimed, her scratchy voice rising in volume. She then turned her gaze back onto Starlight, her lips curling into a snarl and revealing that her teeth were so clenched that her jaws were shaking. "I'm just stressed, okay?!" She screeched, voice straining as the pegasus fought back tears. Several droplets escaped from her eyes, streaking down her cyan cheeks. Everyone in the hall, even Remington, jumped from the sudden spike both in Rainbow's voice and emotions.
"I'm stressed, irritated and my bucking stomach hurts so much I think I'm gonna hurl!" Rainbow took an aggressive step towards Starlight, yet didn't move any further. There was still a fair bit of distance between the duo of mares, not to mention Soarin still had a wing blanketed over his girlfriend's back. However, I let my arms relax at my sides, ready to leap in between the two ponies should Rainbow's emotions take control. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Twilight, AJ, Spike, Rarity and Remington at the ready as well. Although, I continued to keep Trixie in check; the mare still had yet to move from her spot.
"Dashie…." Soarin pleaded, stepping forward himself to keep even with his girlfriend. We all could hear the twinge of pain in the poor stallion's voice as he begged Rainbow to let it go. Unfortunately, he appeared to be hundreds of miles away from Rainbow's point of view. The agitated mare ignored her boyfriend's plea.
"How do you think I feel having to face her?! Do you have any clue what we have to do in there?!" More tears streaked down Rainbow's cheek as she pointed a wing at the giant, golden throne room doors, her voice becoming even more strained. "We have to face somepony we admired and trusted for so long that betrayed all of us! Do you have any idea what it's like to have to look somepony in the eye that destroyed the trust and friendship you built up for years?! DO YOU?!" Rainbow Dash roared, her voice echoing throughout the massive corridor and reverberating in and out of this wing of the castle. I was sure at least a dozen guards from around the castle would come galloping in any second to see what in the hell was going on.
Starlight sank down in a defensive stance like a frightened puppy. The poor thing was trembling, unsure of what to do, as she peered up at the pegasus across from her.
"Alright, Trixie has had enough of you!" Came the exclamation from our group. With a quick trot, Trixie made her way from one side of the hall to the other, leaping in between Starlight and Rainbow Dash, surprising all of us with how quickly she seemed to move.
"Oh shut up, Trixie," Rainbow managed to roll her eyes at the self-absorbed unicorn despite tears clouding them.
"No, Trixie thinks it's YOU who should shut it! Everypony here understands how difficult this is, but that doesn't mean you can use Starlight as a punching bag to vent your frustrations on!" She sneered. "In fact, Trixie can say she is sorry for what you're going through, but if you speak that way to her friend again….let's just say she'll make sure you know exactly how Starlight feels right now."
My jaw dropped at Trixie's threat, no, promise, to Rainbow Dash for how she was treating Starlight. I know these two had grown rather close as friends over the few months they'd known each other, but holy fuck, Trixie's mini tirade towards Rainbow Dash came off like a friend defending a friend they'd known for decades.
"Damn," Applejack remarked, sounding rather impressed at Trixie's determination to stand up for her friend.
Meanwhile, the mare that had just been given an ultimatum scowled in return at Trixie. Rainbow's snarl remained; the pegasus huffed and puffed as steam escaped her nose. Her eyes darted around, mind searching for something to retort with. Though, due to her mixed emotions, the task was proving difficult.
"Well? Trixie would like it if you apologized to her best friend," Trixie raised an eyebrow as she turned and offered a hoof to Starlight. The quivering unicorn took it, hoisting herself up onto all fours and stood next to her friend.
Rainbow's eyes firmly locked onto the entertainer before her, pupils raging with fire. "Oh, just go buck-"
The Wonderbolt's derogatory remark was cut short with the creaky opening of the throne room door. Every single pair of eyes snapped over to the throne room entrance, revealing the elegant and beautiful Princess Celestia standing in the threshold. "I do hope that remark was not meant for me," her soft, silky voice cut through the uncomfortable atmosphere, leaving a small feeling of peace in its wake.
Rainbow Dash's eyes bulged in shock before hurriedly wiping away any tears, trying to make herself as presentable as possible whilst in front of her leader. "I-I'm sorry Princess. I didn't mean to be rude in front of you," she apologized, her head bowed in both respect and regret.
Silence continuously gripped us all as Celestia gracefully strolled over to the emotionally challenged Wonderbolt. Of course, due to Celestia's gentle, patient and understanding diplomacy skills, we understood that there would be no shouting nor anger directed at Rainbow Dash for her abrasive attitude and words towards Starlight.
The tall and slender alicorn came to a halt in front of her smaller subject, pausing to study the distressed Element of Loyalty. When no words came from Celestia, Rainbow Dash worriedly craned her neck up, a look of pure trepidation molded on her face, frightened that she just might have upset her princess with her language and insincere attitude. The athletic pegasus began to tremble like a scolded puppy as she locked eyes with the much bigger alicorn staring back at her.
Finally, Celestia mirrored Rainbow's previous actions, lowering her head until she was at the Wonderbolt's eye level. She proceeded to unfurl her left wing and gently grasped the smaller mare's chin within her feathers before moving them to Rainbow's cheek, wiping away a few more stray tears that leaked from her magenta eyes. From the reflection in the giant window on the opposite side of the hallway, I could make out a warm, loving smile that slowly materialized across Celestia's muzzle.
Rainbow gasped at the soft touch of her princess' wing. "Rainbow Dash," Celestia's regal features easing into a caring smile as her velvety voice matched the tenderness of her touch to Rainbow's cheek, "I do not believe it is me you need to apologize to," she stepped aside, granting the mare a view of a still downtrodden Starlight on our side of the hallway.
Rainbow's eyes darted to Starlight, only causing the pegasus to whimper at the emotional pain she had inflicted on a friend. She gulped and looked back at Celestia whose calm, comforting demeanor never once waivered. "I understand that you're struggling with pain and anger over the pony you must face behind those doors," Celestia withdrew her wing, replacing it with her hoof on Rainbow's cheek. "However, it isn't healthy to project that onto other ponies, let alone your own friends whom are here to support you when you need it most," the Princess of the Sun gently advised.
Looking back at the goddess-like alicorn, Rainbow Dash nuzzled her cheek against her ruler's gold-plated hoof, sniffling as she clenched her eyes and squeezed even more salty droplets down her wet cheeks. With a choked breath, the cyan pegasus nodded and stood up at attention, a determined look carved into her still emotionally wrecked face. The mare did her best to give the princess a salute with a shaky wing. "Y-You're right, princess," she croaked. "I-I'm not being a good friend, especially to somepony who's trying to learn from us," Rainbow sniffled.
A proud, encouraging look swiftly carved its way onto Celestia's face. "Then you know what you must do." The alabaster mare stepped back even more, allowing Rainbow Dash a clear path to the friend with which she needed to make amends. Swallowing her pride, Rainbow gently brushed the tips of her wings across Soarin's cheek as she departed from their side of the hallway, trudging over towards Starlight Glimmer. It was a solemn march, almost mimicking that of a funeral procession, but given the negativities drowning Rainbow's emotions, I couldn't blame her for how slow she was moving.
Eventually though, she reached her destination and stood face to face with the light pink unicorn, as well as her best friend. Unfortunately, Trixie turned and sneered at the pegasus, clearly still ticked off with Rainbow Dash despite the Wonderbolt getting encouragement to atone for her treatment towards Starlight from Princess Celestia herself. The apologetic mare flinched at the nasty look from the narcissistic entertainer, now looking a bit unsure if she could even talk to Starlight with Trixie close by. The illusionist then let out a condescending snort, rolling her eyes at Rainbow's attempt to apologize, but a hoof from Starlight gently yet firmly pressing against her chest quickly silenced the showmare. Trixie stuck out her lower lip, pouting at her best friend quietly telling her to back down from protecting her, but a slow shake of Starlight's head forced Trixie to concede and abide by Starlight's wish, opting to silently eye Rainbow Dash.
"S-Starlight?" Rainbow stuttered, both mares now focusing back on one another after Trixie had backed off.
"Rainbow Dash," Starlight replied, taking in a calming breath.
Rainbow's eyes began to pool with a few more tears as she struggled to find the right words. Knowing the attention-seeking mare for over a year, I knew that being humbled was definitely a possibility for Rainbow Dash, but this time was going to prove the most difficult. It wasn't an apology for ignoring advice or taking a joke a little too far. She'd said it herself: She wasn't setting a good example for somepony who was trying to make up for an awful misdeed by learning about friendship, especially since that same mare had opted to come along to emotionally support Rainbow on what was the hardest day she had to face in quite some time. Having thrown that support back in Starlight's face was going to be one of Rainbow's largest hurdles to overcome with that guilt hanging over her head.
"I….I'm sorry," Rainbow's voice cracked as she choked back a sob. "I'm s-sorry for being such a…." She paused, remembering that Celestia was still only a few steps behind her. She inhaled through her nose and continued. "For being such a huge jerk to you. You were just trying to offer me some comfort like a friend would and I just spat in your face," she solemnly looked down at the marble flooring, her distraught reflection staring right back at her. Several stray tears leapt from her eyes and rained down, splashing against the floor. "Th-there's no excuse for the way I treated you. A good friend doesn't take their frustrations out on another friend," her voice had become barely audible. "I…I really should appreciate that you wanted to make me feel better."
Everyone witnessing what was taking place between Rainbow Dash and Starlight Glimmer could feel a sense of empathy for the Wonderbolt. True, she had fucked up big time by lashing out at Starlight, but there was not a single soul in that castle hallway that could claim her apology was insincere or half-assed. The tears streaming down her face now were not tears of stress or anger like the ones from earlier, no. The quiet whimpering was all the evidence we needed to know how regretful the mare was.
All of a sudden, something happened that managed to both quiet Rainbow's whimpers and surprise everybody bearing witness to the apology. Starlight's lip quivered as she suddenly threw her forelegs around the somber Element of Loyalty, touched by the mare's atonement.
For the short time I'd known Starlight, she definitely didn't peg me as the kind of mare that was really touch-feely. I mean, she was a lot more comfortable with her emotions around Trixie of course, but even around Twilight, she really wasn't the hugging type. I could only chalk it up to the emotions of both mares going into overdrive.
Rainbow Dash stood frozen, mouth agape and eyes bulging out of her skull from the out of nowhere hug. Caught off guard more than anyone, Dash looked around the room, her brain trying to process how quickly things had changed before she managed to wrap a shaky foreleg on top of Starlight's back, hugging the unicorn in return.
"Thank you, Rainbow Dash," Starlight whispered as she squeezed Rainbow even harder. "Apology accepted," the mare added, smiling as much as she could before breaking the hug. Rainbow, mouth still agape, allowed her foreleg to slump back to the floor with a thud.
"Wait…so that's it?" Rainbow cocked her head in confusion.
Starlight smiled at her friend's puzzled reaction, casting her gaze over to her mentor. "Somepony taught me that friends occasionally lose their temper with one another, but I shouldn't let that impede any progress being made or define an entire friendship, even if you and I aren't exactly the best of friends yet."
Looking out of the corner of my eye, I could make out Twilight sporting one of the biggest and proudest smiles I'd ever seen on her muzzle. Celestia even shot the Princess of Friendship a congratulatory wink for how well her sessions with Starlight were going so far.
"That mare's learnin' fast, huh Ivan?" Applejack nudged my waist.
"You got that right," I agreed.
Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash looked between Twilight and Starlight in disbelief at how quickly her apology was accepted. "O-Oh," she stuttered once again. "Well, that's awesome," she tried to give Starlight one of her trademarked grins, but faltered due to the amount of emotions still steamrolling her mind. She then shook her head, taking in several deep breathes in an attempt clear her thoughts. "Thanks again, for being here I mean, Starlight," Rainbow rubbed the back of her head with a hoof. "I know you're still a newbie to the group, but it means a lot that you wanted to come here this morning."
"Hey, isn't that what friends are for?" Starlight replied with a chuckle. Rainbow joined in and even gave the unicorn a playful jab to the shoulder while Soarin trotted over and blanketed his marefriend's torso with a wing.
"Good going, Dashie," he winked and pecked her cheek.
"Indeed, we're all very proud of you, Rainbow Dash," Celestia agreed, nuzzling her subject with her own wing. "I have no problems believing Starlight Glimmer is in good hooves with everypony here. However, we still have business to attend to," the pride in Celestia's voice for Rainbow's turnaround slowly dissolved into sternness for the objective we came here for in the first place.
Any happiness we felt for Rainbow successfully making amends with Starlight was immediately killed. It was no fault of Celestia's of course; the princess was just doing her job. Clearing her throat, Celestia continued, "Now we only have a few minutes left before the hearing begins, but before we go in, there are a few things I'd like to go over with everypony."
I suddenly had the feeling that something was off. Having attended at least one trial before when I assisted Luna with night court during the Fall Estrus, I recalled that it was fairly straightforward. Luna was the mediator and all I had to do was help one of her night guards with the motherfucker that went ballistic. In fact, had that not even occurred, it would've gone over about as normal as it could go.
"Is something the matter, your highness?" Rarity cautiously asked. The same uneasy feeling that I felt seemed to be plaguing her mind as well. She then let out a shrill gasp. "Don't tell us that there's been a loophole found in Spitfire's case!"
"Oh! No, nothing at all is wrong," Celestia reassured us. "I expect nothing but a routine parole hearing to take place today. I just wanted to inform you all that Princess Luna will not be joining us today as originally planned," she announced.
I could feel my heart come to a crashing halt. Having not seen Luna for quite some time now, especially since she was unable to attend the Summer Sun Celebration in Manehattan, I was looking forward to seeing and spending a little time with the expecting mother and her husband.
That was not the only reason for my worry, however. Even though Celestia had assured us that everything was fine, I couldn't stop my mind from wandering to certain…unpleasantries regarding Luna's pregnancy that could cause her to miss Spitfire's parole hearing. I mean, that was the whole reason she had to bow out of the trip to Manehattan. Was she ill? Was she having complications? "Is she okay?!" I blurted out without thinking.
Celestia turned to me, eyebrow raised. "Yes….of course. Princess Luna is doing just fine, Cougar," she slowly replied, caught a bit off guard by my urgent question. "My baby sister is due to give birth to her and Checkered Flag's son any day now, so she's taking things easy until that day arrives. That includes no utilizing magic, no strenuous physical activities and absolutely no day or night court due to the mental strain she and I are put under, especially today's subject matter," the alicorn reported.
I felt my face going a bit flush as everyone stared at me for my outburst. Nervously grinning, I gulped and replied, "O-oh… well I'm glad to hear that she's doing good."
Celestia chuckled at my chagrin, placing a hoof upon my shoulder. "Don't feel embarrassed, Cougar. It's still very sweet how much you care for my baby sister's well-being. I'll be sure to tell her you said hello after we depart from the hearing," she gingerly laid her horn on top of my Drive to End Hunger ball cap.
"Sounds good," I said as she pulled away, facing the group as a whole once more. Right next to me, I could hear Applejack attempting to hide her snickering, failing to do so before she threw her foreleg around my waist, tightly squeezing it.
"Oh ho, Sugarcube," she said in between chortles. "That's mighty sweet o' ya. Don't fret none about it," the orange mare lovingly nuzzled my side as she regained control from her laughing. "Just don't go that crazy worryin' about me 'n our little one, promise?" Her foreleg released its grip and started to caress her pudgy belly.
"Mhmm," I nodded and fondled her cheek, forcing a relaxed whinny from the mare. "What else did you need to go over with us, princess?" I asked, trying to help steer the conversation back to what Celestia had originally intended to tell us.
"Ah yes," the royal mare took a moment to gather her thoughts. Taking in a deep breath and exhaling, Celestia picked up where she left off before I'd interrupted her. "Now that Spitfire has spent the allotted time in the dungeons that she was sentenced for, here is how the hearing will proceed. Everypony will gather in the throne room as per usual, and I will ask her several questions so that I may ascertain if she is truly remorseful for her actions and if it is possible for her to reintegrate back into Equestrian society alone," she explained, pacing about back and forth in front of us. "Furthermore, I will also need to hear from Soarin and Rainbow Dash to assist me in determining if Spitfire is indeed trustworthy enough to be on her own to begin with or if she still poses a danger to ponies around her," Celestia added, pausing in front of the Wonderbolt couple.
The aforementioned pegasi were taken aback. Rainbow's cyan fur had paled to an almost whitish hue as her puffy eyes shrank to the size of pinpricks. While on the other hand, Soarin let out a gasp before his eyes lazily drifted downwards until he was staring directly at Celestia's hooves. A shudder escaped his maw, and his wings lost all rigidity, falling limp and slipping from Rainbow Dash's back.
"Us, your majesty?" A bewildered Soarin replied. "If I can ask, Princess…why?" He solemnly draped his wing back over Rainbow's torso.
Celestia wistfully sighed, a disappointed frown spreading across her muzzle. "I realize that the two of you are intensely apprehensive about merely being in the same room as Spitfire on this day, and I do not wish to force you into something you're uncomfortable with. In spite of that, I wish for you to understand that the reason I want the both of you to give me your honest opinions is because you were affected the most that day in Cloudsdale," the angelic alicorn explained. Her pair of wings unfolded, quickly finding and gently stroking a cheek of both Soarin and Rainbow Dash.
"I don't believe anypony else here could truly analyze Spitfire's reactions to the hearing and honestly tell me if she's ready to be reintegrated better than the both of you," she added.
Immediately, I looked down to Applejack whom was now staring curiously at the princess, but opted to remain quiet. Despite her moniker and qualifications, she dared not interrupt Princess Celestia.
"It's true that any number of your comrades in the Wonderbolts could also give a fair testimonial, but I believe the words of those who personally experienced her betrayal will help more to make an appropriate decision," Celestia concluded, pulling her wings away from the blue Pegasi. She then cast a glance over at the other Wonderbolts in the corridor, smiling warmly at them. "However, anypony is still welcome to share their thoughts if they so wish," she smiled at the ponies who protected Equestria's skies with their lives.
"Understood, your highness," Silver Lining replied, giving the alicorn a polite bow. The other aerial stunt Pegasi followed suit, bowing to their princess in respect to her decision.
Despite Celestia's reasoning for selecting Soarin and Rainbow to assist in her decision making for Spitfire's future, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if Silver Lining, Lullaby, the Streak twins or any of the others said their piece to Spitfire when given the chance. I knew precisely how violated they felt for what Spitfire did to their fellow squad mates, even if they weren't the ones Spitfire was attempting to screw over. All too well in fact. I felt a bit of rage briefly flash over me as the memory of what President Walker did to those innocent pilots for personal gain.
"Are ya feelin' okay, Sugarcube?" AJ said as she gently tugged against my waist.
I then released the breath that I didn't even realize I was holding in, freeing my body from the tense, rigid state it was in during my brief flashback. "Yeah," I took several deep breaths. "I'm fine," I assured my girlfriend, running my fingers up and down the back of her neck.
Applejack eyed me suspiciously, but the mare took my word for it for the time being and set her sights back on Celestia, Soarin and Rainbow Dash. The latter two ponies were still formulating a response to Celestia's request.
With a heavy sigh, Rainbow Dash stepped forward and out from the loving hold of her coltfriend. The cyan mare stood tall, wiping away a final tear from her eye with her wing and put on the most determined look she could conjure. "I-I'll do my best princess," she announced. "I have to be able to face her again and not let her control me despite the Tartarus she put me and Soarin through a year ago. I've let this day get into my head ever since you told us her parole hearing was coming up, but I'm not gonna let it beat me," she promised, snorting a few puffs of air out of her nostrils.
Though the mare's voice was still weak, her body language said it all. Even if it would take all her strength in order to face Spitfire and falter as little as possible, I had no doubt in my heart she would take on this new challenge with as much gumption as she did when she fought one of Garble's goons in Draconia in order to save Luna.
"Same here, Princess," Soarin saluted the radiant alicorn. "As captain of the Wonderbolts, it's my duty to protect and serve you and Equestria. Today is definitely one of the most difficult I've had to go up against, but it's time to finally put this behind us," he brought his wing down, standing at perfect attention alongside Rainbow Dash.
Celestia sighed in happy relief. "Thank you two very much. I understand how difficult today will be for you and your squad mates, but decisions like this are precisely why you're perfectly suited to defend our skies," she proudly replied. "Now then, with our affairs in order, let us commence, shall we?" Her horn lit up with the golden aura of her magic, encompassing the door behind her and gracefully pulling it open.
From the doorway, a familiar pair of guards emerged from Luna and Celestia's throne room. "Are you ready, Celes- er, your majesty?" Glock greeted and bowed to his princess.
"Yes dear, please escort everypony inside," the princess instructed, giving her coltfriend a quick peck to the cheek before turning to Remington. "And Remington, please go and fetch Spitfire from the waiting cell. We're about to begin."
"Of course, your highness," the loyal guard bowed before turning tail and trotting through the massive throne room and disappearing through another door on the inside.
Sighing, Celestia turned back to our massive group, putting on her professional face. "Let us begin," she remarked and headed back through the doorway. Glock and the other remaining guard stood on either side, motioning for us to follow the princess.
"Let's get this over with, Soarin," Rainbow nudged her coltfriend, still trying to keep a straight face so as to not disappoint Celestia.
With that, the Element of Loyalty and the Captain of the Wonderbolts crossed the threshold into the room where their past would come back to face them. Thankfully, they wouldn't be alone as the rest of us filed in behind them, ready to shower them with support and encouragement to help shut the door on this chapter for good.
End Chapter 86
Yes, we are FINALLY going to see Spitfire again in an actual role since my first story, Dishonorable! Don't forget, she made a brief cameo appearance back when Ivan demanded to be locked up in the dungeons!
Man, it was fun to write in Trixie again! I loved her friendship with Starlight in the show SO much, so look forward to seeing Trixie become more involved with the story as it unfolds.
What will become of Spitfire after the hearing? Tune in next time to Fallen Eagle!
