Little Pony Legend

Once Upon A Zeppelin
Chapter 4

The Final Straw

The pool on the deck was all set for the little paddleboat race and Shining Armor was already on his boat ready to go. All right actually he was a little green and about to toss it. Nearby Bolin noticed, "He's going to pop it. I know it."

"I wouldn't bet on that", agreed Mako as Twilight rushed up. . . with Star Tracker in tow and who nearly ran into her when she stopped.

"Whew just made it", said Twilight and adding a really unrecommended slap to her brother's back, she said, "And I'm ready to give you the Tiny boat race of your life!" That's when she noticed her brother's green face.

"Are you sure you are not airsick", asked Twilight as her brother tried to keep himself from heaving.

"Me? Airsick? No" laughed Shining, "I am in the water after all, so it cancels it out!"

Twilight smirked and added, "I don't think that's how it works but if you say so." She levitates a life vest to put it on but then Iron Will shows up and takes the life vest from her aura and replaces it with a checkered flag.

"Actually", said Iron Will, "Princess Twilight Sparkle should OFFICIATE the paddle boat race."

Twilight was really displeased at this but then, in an effort to cheer her up (and show off a bit) Flash Sentry said, "If it's okay with you, I will race Shiing Armor in your place."

"Well,", said Twilight uncertain as Flash puts on the vest, "As long as Shining gets to race, I'm happy." She teleports to the other side of the pool and readies the flag.
A lot of the patrons tried to take pictures of her and the flashbulbs made her back up. . and into a still stalking and nervous Star Tracker.

"He he, sorry", he said stepping aside. From his boat Flash Sentry glares in fury. If they could shoot daggers they would be all over Star Tracker.

Twilight gets ready to start when Start Tracker gets in her face. "I am going to write about this tonight in my journal." He then starts trotting in place nervously. "Oh this is so exciting!"

Twilight regained her composure and shouted, "On your mark. . get set. . . !"

Finally, Star Tracker couldn't hold it in and grabbing the flag and waiving it shouted, "GO!"

"YEAH" shouted Flash and taking off like a shot. He reaches the end and leaves a big splash on stopping thankfully Twilight protected herself (and Star Tracker) with a magic shield.

"I did great! Didn't I Twilight?! Didn't I" Flash exclaimed.

"Yeah, you sure did", said Twilight unenthusiastically.

"Sorry I had to show you off Shining Armor", said Flash then noticed Shining never left the starting line. "Uh Shining? Sir?"

The airsick unicorn got out of the boat. "Just so you know, I am getting out of this boat just to show how not sick I am."
Feeling pity for him Flash Sentry helped him up. "Here let me escort you to your room."

The two walked off before the green Shining could. . . toss it. Twilight was about to follow when Iron Will got in the way.

"Hold it that was the first heat! There are 10 more heats left!" He contracted his abdominal muscles and made his 10 pack pop out just to make a point. Twilight couldn't help but cringe a bit.

"Now", said Bulk Biceps as he started flexing, "Who wants to see the Princess' face when you WIN THE RACE!"

The crowd cheered happily, and Twilight tried to put on a happy grin as she waived the checkered flag in what seemed to be enthusiasm.

The antiques show was really in full swing on the zeppelin.

"Oh, look at that plate it has that nice sun alicorn on it", said Senna as she and Tonraq looked around.

"Hmm and this tea cup it was said to have been made by a race called. . alicorns. .", said Tonraq.

Just then the serenity was interrupted by Bulk Biceps, "NOW PREPARE FOR SOME PRINCESS ACTION AS SHE APPRAISES AND LEADS THE AUCTION!"

Twilight trying to keep on a happy face walks by Senn and Tonraq as she starts to appraise the artifacts. Tonraq looked to his wife, and they nodded knowing the same thing.

"Twilight are you sure you are not biting off more than you can chew", asked Senna.

"Korra and Flash Sentry are a bit concerned about you", said Tonraq.

"Don't worry I am handling this fine. And don't worry I will have plenty of time to spend with my family", said Twilight with a grin. "Everything is just peachy!" She then resumes appraising the items.

"What was it Korra says about Twilight when she acts like this", asked Senna.

"It usually means trouble for her", sighed Tonraq.

Iris was really enjoying the small part of the zeppelin reserved for playtime as were all the others. She was then flying over and picking up some of the other kids and then flying down with them. Her cousin Flurry heart had to step in at times in order to either save a young one or keep Iris from getting carried away.

"I wonder if mom had this much trouble with me", the said alicorn wondered.

Mako chuckled a bit as he looked on then spotted Twilight coming up wearing a Cowboy hat. . .with Star Tracker not too far behind.

"Oh hey Twilight", said Mako.

"Hi Aunty", said Flurry Heart.

"Mako, Cadence, Flurry, I see you got into the peewee Princess playtime", said Twilight.

"Yeah, Iris is having a fun time and Flurry is doing great keeping an eye on her", said Cadance but then used her magic to help Flurry stop another instance of Iris trying to take off with a little filly.

"That's great I am just on my way to take some old time Appleoosian photos",s aid Twilight hurridly.

"Being in photoshoots are the best", Star Tracker put in nervously before Twilight pushes him away.

"And then I do a question-and-answer session on being an alicorn, then it will be time for Mom and Korra's barrel ride of Neighagra falls! I hope I won't miss that", said Twilight hurridly.

"Twilight are you sure you don't mind doing all this", asked Mako.

"Mind" gasped Twilight, "please, absolutely not! You guys are having fun right?"

There was a slight pause as she holds a huge grin but then Twilight let's out a huge sigh.

"Besides I have to make sure that everyone on the cruise is happy if I want to be a good Princess", said Twilight and dipped her hat low.

"I think we can all agree that you already ARE a good Princess", said Cadance as she put Twilight's hat up to see her face.

Twilight smiled and taking her hat of saying, "Honestly as long as I get to see the Northern Stars tonight, I will be happy."

Star Tracker then tapped her shoulder and made a nudge she had to get going.

"But right now, I got to go take some pictures! See you later" said Twilight as she put her hat on and ran off.

"She's not enjoying this", sighed Mako.

"Wanna bet", asked Cadance.

Their thoughts got interrupted when they heard one of the parents say, "Go on and play and you will make a princess friend." And they urged their babies all near Iris. But thankfully Mako intervened.

"Sorry Iris needs her nap", said Mako.

"That was too close", sighed Flurry, "And I think I may need a nap too."

A lot of the passengers were lining up for that ride over Neighegra falls. Twilight galloped up there as fast as she could with of course Star Tracker right next to her.

"Why did that last question have to be a TWO PARTER!?" she exclaimed. "I just hope I have time for ONE barrel ride with mom and Korra!"

She arrived as the goat proprietor of the ride had butted another barrel, with a customer inside, over the falls. He then brought one in as Twilight arrived. Twilight Velvet popped out all drenched and still full of energy.

"Neigagra falls was amazing", she exclaimed, "The open air, the water in my mane, the small confines of the barrel!"

Another barrel was ushered up to her and out popped Korra. "WOAH! WOOOHOO! Man, that was so worth it, the adrenaline, the rush. Twilight your mother is SOO COOL!"

"Another relaxing vacation in the book hun", laughed Night Light winking.

"Oh Twilight', said Korra, "Sorry about this but we waited as long as we could, but that goat was pretty pushy."

"Yeah, maybe you should take a break from these Princess activities", suggested Velvet.

Twilight hesitated and said, "Oh don't worry I am not disappointed, I was just answering some detailed questions on Alicorns, you know how much I like details!"

Korra raised an eyebrow as she and Velvet got out. "Really?"

"Yes of course" said Twilight.

"Well, we just don't want you to forget, it's your vacation too", reminded Velvet.

"How can I when it's a totally successful vacation", asked Twilight putting on a fake smile. Her parents and Korra look at each other and then they decided to give in to the facade.

"Okay Twilight if you are sure", said Night Light, "Looking forward to those Northern Stars."

They gave that look at her as they walked by.

Then much to Twilight's annoyance who should show up but Iron Will.

"Iron Will lived up to his side of the bargain! And Twilight Sparkle only has one thing left to do for the day!" At that he grabbed her and put her behind a desk on the deck of the ship.

"This is your last chance" he said flexing his muscles, "Get in line if you want the Princess to SIGN!"

All the said patrons quickly got in line for Twilight's autograph. Twilight started to sign whatever book or piece of paper or whatever they had.

This went on and on until the night. After two mares in twilight costumes took her autograph, almost to her surprise Star Tracker stood there.

"How long have you been waiting", asked Twilight melancholy.

All she got in response is just a stifled mumble, but she signed it. He was the last one. But then Twilight noticed a glow coming on the other side of the ship. She gasped.

"Oh no!" she said grabbing Star Tracker. "What time is it!?"

He rushed from the table to the front just in time to see the last star fade away as her family and the patrons oohed at the spectacle she missed.

That's right she had missed it. . and tears started to form in her eyes in realization. This was the straw that broke the camel's, for rather the pony's, back.

To be concluded. . . .