Two days later...
Galloping Gorge
Amidst the trees and the long drop to the gorge below, three units of eight ponies were camped out. Tents hung from massive trees for support while the twenty-four guards and their commanding officer went about their early morning routine. One unit was earth pony, one of pegasi and one of unicorns. All aside from the sentries above were camped out on the ground with no fires.
The lieutenant in charge of the three units yawned as he exited his tent wearing just his undershirt. Hopefully Colonel Shining Armor would be here soon and allow them to get a move on. He glanced around, satisfied that everything was in order for the morning and their pegasus sentries were mildly board looking. Board was good, board meant everything was in order. Providing they were paying attention that is.
Suddenly the sentry perched in a low flying cloud above the collection of camps perked up. "Sir, ten ponies approach, ten o'clock!"
"About time." The lieutenant grumbled under his breath as he hurried to grab his full uniform.
Shining Armor, Cadence and an accompanying unit of 8 guards, half earth pony, half unicorns entered the camp as the lieutenant once again emerged in full uniform. The two officers saluted.
Shining Armor was the first to speak, "at ease lieutenant Quick Strike. Sorry we are so late, you won't believe how bad the storm out there was."
"That's okay sir, it's wonderful to have a couple of such prestige here. It's been dead for the last three days but there have been several reports of unusual activity between here and Vanhoover. We even spotted a pair of griffons on the wing four days ago and fought off some troublesome rogues, mostly of the large cat genus last week."
"Any casualties?" Shining Armor asked as he glanced around the camp.
"None, thankfully," lieutenant Quick Strike replied, "and only a handful wounded."
"Alright, good. Pack this here camp up so that we can move out."
"Yes sir. Mind if we have a quick meeting while they do so?"
"As long as it allows us to walk and talk," Shining Armor replied. "I want to get a good look of this gorge."
"I can show you the gorge from a good vantage point, sir," confirmed the lieutenant.
"Thank you."
As the small group was about to set out a shout rang out across the camp. The pegasus on the cloud had spotted something but his cry turned into a gurgling scream as an arrow pierced his throat.
"Watch out!"
"Attack!"
"Everypony to arms!"
Shining Armor immediately powered up his horn and cast a large dome shield around their leadership group that settled as low as eye level, protecting them from the skies. Cadence leapt to his side as several arrows bounced off the bubble.
Shining pointed with his hoof toward where the arrows came from, "two o'clock, attackers at two! Unicorns, return fire!"
Shining's unit promptly split, the four unicorns returned fire from under the light blue dome while the earth ponies raised their shields and provided a physical wall while their fellow unicorns fired over their shoulders.
The other three units worth all scrambled into battle readiness, shields, both magical and physical were deployed while eight pegasi extended their forehoof blades and took to the skies.
Yelling filled the air, both from ponies and their attackers as heavy footsteps beat upon the earth. Within moments, several large felines made it into the camp and were immediately shot down with magic. A mixture of more heavily armoured pigs and felines followed, their shields bent under the fire of angry magic directed their way. Arrows passed overhead as archers hidden behind trees continued their barrage. One of the pegasi fell from the skies, a shaft in his wing. The mace of the pig smote him as he struggled to rise. Several guardponies retreated at the sight of such brutality as no pony wished to be in the receiving end of such a heavy weapon.
"Shoot, shoot! Hold your ground!" Shining Armor cried out as he maintained his bubble shield above the groups head.
Cadence lit her horn and frantically tried to trip the leading beast. The boar caught itself and bellowed angrily. The unicorns slew the mace-wielding pig then took cover behind nearby trees to save them from the continued barrage of arrows. The other large armoured creatures hurled past the downed boar and rammed straight into Shining Armor's shield wall just as he dropped his bubble shields cover right to the ground. Cracks appeared in his bubble as three large cats and two large boars smashed away, trying to get to the ponies inside.
Shining Armor grit is teeth and poured more magic into his shield as the attacks continued. One of the large felines attacking their command group tired of attacking such a solid defence and turned to have a go at the other ponies. This was spotted by the other unicorns under the bubble who used their magic to throw the beast into a tree, knocking him out. Under the pressure of continued attacks, Shining Armor did his best to check how the rest of the guards were doing. A boar beheaded an earth pony only to be shot several times in the head by the nearby unicorns. Just as Shining began assessing what they could do to assist, a large mace slammed into the bubble shield right in front of his face. His attention jolted right back to scarred boar who yelled as he delivered another blow.
"Quickly, we must take these creatures out if we are to assist the other units under attack! I'm going to expand my shield on three!"
"Yes sir!" The unit under the bubble replied, the unicorns readied their horns.
"Three, two, one!" With the final count, Shining Armor rapidly expanded his dome shield. The force pushed those attacking them back till they collided with nearby trees. The ponies under the forcefield leapt into action, the unicorns fired off attack spells while the four earth ponies leapt at their stunned foes and impaled them with their blades. From there, combat became a bit of a blur as they fought for dear life in wild melee.
Shining Armor found himself panting with exertion over the corpse of a large boar. Cries of retreat rang out across the forest as the few remaining foes fled as fast as they could.
"So we chase them down sir?" the last airborne pegasus asked as he took wing.
Shining nodded as he made a quick decision, "take the unicorns and see if you can. Try to take one alive, but don't go too far!"
As Cadence sidled up to him, Shining Armor did a quick headcount. They had three dead pegasi, two earth ponies and one unicorn. All remaining pegasi appeared badly injured and in need of special attention. Many of the others also sported wounds and damaged armour.
The pegasus guard zipped back into camp, "sir, there's more waiting in the trees! Three o-clock!"
Two of the three unicorns who had followed rushed into the camp hot on the pegasus's tail. "Unicorn down! Now they're following us!"
"How many?" Shining Armor asked.
"At least fifty sir!"
Shining Armor grit his teeth and shed his saddlebags, he grabbed his hoofblade and strapped it on.
Lieutenant Quick Strike grabbed his spear from his tent as he leapt into action. "Drop everything you don't need for battle. We can't fight that many out here! Into the gorge!"
Shining Armor lit his horn and lifted the saddelbags off his fillyfriend's back. "Just run dear!"
"But our stuff-"
"Is just stuff, now move! Please."
Cadence nodded grimly and followed her husband-to-be as he rushed off at the tail end of the party. In front of them were the wounded, helped along by their fellows. An arrow landed in a tree right next to Cadence's head as they ran and she jumped. Light blue magic pulsed as the powerful unicorn once again lit his horn and deployed a barrier behind them to try and protect their progress as they fled into the gorge. Shining was sure he spotted a minotaur trying to throw an axe at his shield as they did a mad dash through the bush. Battle cries of several other creatures rang out in the air. They surely were being followed by a lot of armed and dangerous rogues.
A large monkey swung from the trees into the middle of the group and stabbed the pony he landed on into the ground. Several unicorns fired as they ran and felled it. A parrot-like rogue leapt down, flanked by two more, right in Shining Armor's face. He dodged their swords, dropped his shield, fired a quick magic blast at the lead bird like rogue and rolled out of the way as the remaining pair attacked him again. They leapt at the Colonel again and Cadence franticly blasted the pair off her husband. The attackers picked themselves up and grabbed their weapons. Cadence quickly grabbed her to-be-husband and took flight, frantic to catch up with the guards who had left them behind. As they soared along, close to the ground Shining spotted several minotaurs, lizard folk and large boar-men right on their tails.
What a wonderful start to the mission...
2 days later...
Ponyville , Fluttershy's Cottage
Fluttershy descended toward her cottage. Angel was in his little house outside, with a carrot in his paws. When he saw her coming, he stopped short and gave her a look. Clearly, he had been hungry waiting for her but had got carrot himself. He always preferred her to do the legwork and deliver his noms and this had left him in a rather foul mood.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Angel... I was preoccupied again. But don't you worry, I promise you that I will make a much more concerted effort to still care for you and all of our animal friends!"
Rolling his eyes, Angel went back to eating his food, even going so far as to turn away from his caregiver. He knew that ever since the speedster moved back in, Fluttershy had been less attentive toward him. So what promises could she make that Rainbow Dash couldn't cause her to break?
"Don't worry, Angel Bunny," Fluttershy giggled. "I'm going to tend to the laundry before we head to Canterlot. Can I ask you to take good care of the rest of the animals while we are away?"
The bunny shrugged, whatever.
"Thank you," Fluttershy gave her pet a big hug then trotted inside to fetch the laundry hamper.
The small animal gazed after his mother figure, wondering why she could possibly wish to go gallivanting off to outside lands. Deciding it must be the rainbow pony's trickery. He knew that there was no way he could steer her away from that pony, not after all these years. With a shrug he wandered off, happy enough that his caretaker was at least safe. Even if she did go, the soft pegasus was sure to be back to baby him later. He could always prank that silly turtle!
Fluttershy quickly gathered the laundry, washing everything then took it all outside to hang on the clothesline.
She hummed gently to herself as she worked, clipping a few pegs to her wings for quick access. One of the items was the lingerie nightgown they'd had fun with for a second time the night before. She giggled as she hung the dainty piece up on the clothesline. Oh, she would never forget how hot Rainbow looked in it! Maybe they could buy other types, too... The creamy yellow mare giggled at the thought. Or even have Rarity make something for them. Once they had a few they could even swap around each night for fun rather than just swapping the single garment between them.
A couple of her bird friends came to help, taking both ends of a sheet in their talons and placing it over the clothesline. Fluttershy thanked them, pinning the fabric to the line with a couple of clothes-pegs. The birds chirped sweetly, continuing to help her out by taking some of the garments from the basket, ready for her to hang.
"Okay, I should be done in a bit... thank you, my friends!" Fluttershy smiled warmly at the birds, "Hopefully I'll make it back to Dash's place before she wakes up... Hee... not that it would matter too much. Oh, isn't it wonderful? I still can't believe how amazing these last months have been..."
The creamy mare took a moment to rest her hooves upon the line, adding the last few garments before her planned flight back to her fillyfriend.
"Hello there, hot stuff." Dash floated down upon a small cloud, grinning madly at the pegasus who still had her hooves propped up on the line.
Fluttershy jumped at the unexpected sight, "Oh... Rainbow. Hi... I was just getting ready to leave."
"Hey don't stop. I'm enjoying the view..." The grinning prankster's eyes slid down the pretty yellow pony's body, cheeks heating slightly as the red globes came to rest upon their final destinations.
"O-Oh...!" Fluttershy blushed as she realized exactly where her lover's line of vision stopped. She almost felt self-conscious, about to cover herself with her hooves. But what good would that do? They'd already explored every inch of each other many times now. As the initial surprise melted away, she smiled a bit.
"Hee... oh, Rainbow... you naughty thing..."
The bold mare hopped off her cloud, slowly continuing to make her way toward the shy pony on hoof. "Well... Do you mind?"
She came to her fillyfriend who was still propped up on the clothesline and nose bumped her. Fluttershy giggled, smiling more at her. Dash smiled in return, nose bumping her again.
"No... I-I don't mind..." The creamy yellow pegasus admitted softly, her cheeks pinkening.
"Oh good," Dash lightly kissed her on the cheek. "Just watching you do things can be awesome, especially with a little extra special benefit."
"Rainbow, don't be silly..."
"Nah, I can handle it when it comes to you," Dash flew around. She came up behind Fluttershy and hugged her around her torso, nuzzling her head on her shoulder. "You're worth every little boring moment. Sometimes, when I think of everything we've done, I gotta admit, I think of the more boring moments," she whispered into her lover's ear, a grin upon her muzzle.
"...Really?"
"Sure! I don't know why, but when I think of the times where nothing happened, I gotta admit, they're nice. Easy... like our cuddles on clouds during my nap time."
Fluttershy let out a small squeak of joy, tuned and cuddled her companion. "Oh thank you!"
Dash chuckled and nuzzled her, "No need to thank me, Flutters! I gotta make sure no pony else ever is snooping on my mare. Come on, don't get mushy on me."
"Too late," the pink-maned pony giggled and kissed her muzzle.
Dash pulled away grinning, "all right, now you've asked for it!" She dived straight back in, planting a quick flurry of kisses all along the giggling pegasus's muzzle.
"No. no- Dash!" Fluttershy managed in between giggles as the soft assault continued.
"Oh yes!" The bold mare laughed back, bringing a hoof around her mare's back.
Fluttershy took flight, still giggling under the bubbly assault. "Now Rainbow, we both have to make it to Canterlot. I would very much like to get my date before you get too cuddly."
"But that would ruin all the fun."
Fluttershy continued to hang in the air out of her reach.
"Okay. How about I race you there?" Ever one for a race, Rainbow Dash couldn't help but offer.
"B-but I can't hope to keep up with you dear." Fluttershy began to sink
"Trust me Fluttershy. I'll swing round and give you a lift if you start to fall behind. But you do have wings and I need my pegasus to know how to use them." The speedster zipped up to the same height of the floating yellow mare. "Remember, Spitfire and Soarin said there's more dangers around now, so I need you to be able to out fly whatever it is."
As much as Fluttershy could fly no problem, and even have decent speed, there was that persistent underlying fear. Of being too slow for somepony so fast. Even though she was reassured time and time again, the fear still persisted her. What was worse, the thought of needing to flee from some dangerous creature only made her want to run and hide.
"...You're right," Fluttershy murmured, trying to keep a brave face. "And I can use them just fine, so I really don't know what the problem is, either." She bit her lip but decided not to let her nerves get the better of her. "Then let's do it. I can do this! I think..."
"Awesome! Come on Flutters, follow me!" The rainbow-maned daredevil took off, leaving her signature trail behind her.
Fluttershy sighed. 'What have I just got myself into?' With less gusto than her companion, she flew off in loose pursuit.
As expected, while the pair flew off toward the majestic, mountainside city of Canterlot, Rainbow Dash was far up ahead, while her pink and yellow companion lagged behind in pursuit. It was almost embarrassing, to which the latter hoped nopony could see them. Regardless, she knew it would be better to try than to give up, which still did sound like a better option. But she had to remember, just had to remember, that Rainbow Dash loved her no matter what. It was pretty much the best motivation she had in all of this, which did help things along. Maybe not so much her speed, but at least it kept her in the game.
The leading mare glanced behind herself to take a peek at her loved one. Deciding that the precious yellow pony was now too far behind, Dash came round in a tight loop and rushed at her surprised fillyfriend.
It was all Fluttershy could do to get out of the way as she began falling like a surprised earth pony, screaming at the top of her lungs as she plummeted toward the ground below.
Spotting the oversight in her flawed plan, Rainbow Dash swooped down and plucked her lover from the clutches of gravity. "Gotcha!"
A blush coating her cheeks, Fluttershy couldn't help but smile and bring her hooves around Rainbow's neck, gazing at her with adoration. It was very reminiscent of the past when they were fillies, and Dash had come down to the ground and scooped her up after her victorious Sonic Rainboom. A wonderful memory that to this day remained close to her heart.
The victorious mare continued to fly with her charge in her forehooves and a grin upon her face. Although she didn't plan on carrying her fillyfriend all the way there, now seemed like a good time to allow the pretty pony to have a quick break.
"I hope you're getting those wings warmed up again Fluttershy. I want to be able to cruise the next part with you."
"R-really?" The soft voice of unbelief reached the bold pegasus's ears.
"Yes 'Shy. As cute as you are in my forehooves, it's much easier for me when you fly along by yourself." Rainbow paused for a moment to allow the words to sink in. "Plus...I might want to show off to my aerial spectator."
"Oh... Of course," Fluttershy smiled. "All right, you can let me go, then."
"I didn't say I wanted to let go of you yet," Dash purred, nuzzling her nose.
Fluttershy giggled, "Hee... Oh, Rainbow."
"Yes yes. Suck it up while we're alone snuggly. The snobs in Canterlot don't like fillyfoolers as far as I heard." Cerise eyes gazed around thoughtfully.
"That's okay, we'll be fine as long as we're together." Fluttershy cooed softly. "Besides... you don't normally like being too affectionate in public. Maybe they will think we are still just friends."
"And awesome! You can never forget the coolness, Flutters. Everypony knows I'm hot stuff," Rainbow Dash boasted.
"Yes..." The quiet mare fell into silence, happy to simply enjoy the feeling of her fillyfriends powerful movements as they cut through the air.
After a little while, they neared the city skyline and Rainbow Dash released Fluttershy. The two pegasi cruised along together, enjoying the warm glow of the sun on their backs and the wind in their manes. Rainbow Dash chose to stick close to her fillyfriend as she didn't want anything to happen to her while they were so far from home. They continued their leisurely flight together, occasionally brushing wingtips and giggling like school fillies sharing silent jokes.
The day was surely continuing to get better and better. Both ponies couldn't wait till they arrived.
Rainbow Dash paused as she caught a dark form flying high in the sky further above them. She looked after it for a moment, but then shrugged it off. It was probably nothing to get concerned about, anyway.
Galloping Gorge
Though heavy rain a dark form fluttered through the cavernous expanse of the Galloping Gorge. It soared over great crevasses and in and under mighty archways. The dark form swooped down into a large chasm in the gorge. With a thud the armoured pegasus landed heavily in front of lieutenant Quick Strike and two earth ponies who stood guard over the entrance to a small cave. "Weather is stuffed, but I don't see anything threatening moving through the skies. It's impossible to see far enough to scout the forests themselves."
"Good job Sky Slash. At ease." Lieutenant Quick Strike matched his dark scout's salute. "In another day the other pegasi should be in good enough condition to join you. Thanks to Princess Cadence's magic they are coming along well."
"That's good to hear, sir."
"Alright. At ease, I don't need you freezing stiff out here."
The pegasus guard nodded to his superior and followed him into a small cave in the side of the gorge. Inside the small cave was a ring of sixteen ponies around the wall, each doing the best they could to relax with the little they had. Many lounged around polishing their damaged armour as they waited for the order to move out. In the middle of the room was a Minotaur, his hands tied behind his back to a stake.
"Has the prisoner said anything useful yet?" lieutenant Quick Strike asked sourly.
"Nothing at all," replied the guard who watched the well-built creature.
"I have nothing to say to useless ponies like yourself because you're soon going to be dead!" The roar of the Minotaur resounded through the small cave as the creature began to laugh. Several guards shot the creature hard looks.
The angry lieutenant strode right up to the minotaur and shoved his face up close. "I am fed up with your attitude, how about you tell us who hired your group to attack us and I don't kill you?"
The minotaur sneered back, "kill me. I failed my task and am good as dead anyway. It makes no difference. When the changelings come, you are all dead out here anyway."
"Changelings?" Shining Armor shot up from Cadence's side and carefully approached the prisoner.
"The fancy pony has ears that work," the minotaur scoffed. He strained against his bounds for a few moments before he smirked. "I would clap my hands. But somepony tied them too tightly for me to do so. I'm sorry, your applause will have to wait."
"What do you know about the changelings?" Shining Armor ignored the bulky creature's cheek.
"Nothing that a pony like yourself needs to hear."
"Alright. As much I disagree with the lieutenant's request to beat you, I am getting tired of you." Shining Armor returned to his place at Cadence's side.
After a few moments tense silence, the minotaur relaxed, "actually. I've decided... since you all dead anyway... and it's almost mid day too right?" He smirked up at the high ranked unicorn who still stood in his face, "A certain ally to the changelings hired us to drive you out of the forest and into the great gorge! Our plan has worked brilliantly. There's about half of your left and they will find you soon. Every one of you is going to die!" The minotaur laughed uncontrollably. "This is going to be so much fun to watch!"
The lieutenant's horn lit and the minotaur's head snapped back and hit the solid stake so hard it made a resounding crack.
Shining Armor shot his companion a look, "you don't need to kill him!"
Wide-eyed at his own excessive magic burst the lieutenant his superior officer an apologetic look, "ah... I bet he's only out cold."
Shining extracted himself from Cadence's wing and strode over to the downed minotaur. "We could have made use of whatever else he had to say, it sounded almost as though he was in the middle of a victory brag."
The lower ranked officer shot his superior a look, "so? That would be bad for us."
"If it was their intent to send us down here, it bore them great cost," Shining Armor commented. "How long would it take to get everypony out of here and up into the forest land again?"
"An hour to the nearest climbable slope. Or fifteen minutes and a lot of luck if we try and lift ponies out with a mix of unicorn magic and pegasus wing power. We can hardly see out there already. But if the storm gets any worse, that fifteen minutes could stretch out a lot."
Shining Armor set his jaw in thought. "It might be worth a try..."
"Sir..." the guard who had been assigned to watch the prisoner spoke up as he touched the neck of the minotaur and checked his pulse. "He's dead sir."
"Yea?" Lieutenant Quick Strike shook his head, "sorry Shining. I just have a very bad feeling about what that beast had to say, I feel as though we might be dead too if we aren't careful."
"Changelings though?" Shining Armor wondered aloud. "They've been playing it awfully quiet for many years now."
"Yea." The lieutenant replied thoughtfully. "Now imagine if they are out there in the gorge in great numbers. If we go out the wrong way in this weather we don't know if they are in one side, the other or both."
"Call your guards in." Shining Armor quickly replied, "and make sure the inside of this cave looks clear from the outside."
"It's only a small cave," the lieutenant replied sourly.
"Yes, and if we get mobbed by a hundred changelings down here then Equestria may loose a princess. I cannot let anything happen to my fiance. I would also like to see all of you brave ponies make it back home safe too."
The two guards rushed inside, "sir. Movement in the rain."
"Everypony, get down!" Shining Armor hissed. The stallion rushed toward his fillyfriend and shoved them both up close and personal with the side of the cave.
The guardsponies rushed to obey their commander and within moments a tense silence fell upon the group. Now it was a waiting game. Shining Armor hoped to Celestia that the two guards had not been spotted by whatever it was out there. He suddenly found himself agreeing with his fellow officer. This could be very bad.
Canterlot, edge of the city
Two young lovers landed at their destination, Canterlot. The outskirts near the train station seemed to be a perfect pick for two ponies who wished to go unnoticed as the crowd appeared to have somewhere to go or something to do. No eyes lingered upon either mare, a fact that Fluttershy was thankful for. After all, crowded places were not really her thing. But while she felt nervous, the quiet mare felt it best that they at least make their presence known to the Royal Guard as they were Element bearers.
The pair walked side by side toward the main city and kept their wings to themselves to dissuade unwanted attention.
Rainbow Dash kept her wings to herself for other reasons too. As the fastest flyer in Equestria, she did not wish to appear a softy or uncool. As the bolder and more excited of the two, Rainbow Dash led her fillyfriend along confidently toward the palace. She paid no heed to the snobbish ponies they encountered, content to keep her ego to herself. She wondered why they had to wear such silly clothes, it wasn't like there was a special event going on in the city. She snickered when an especially overdressed-for-Rainbow Dash-couple walked past. The stallion shot her a dirty look earning a smug grin in return.
Fluttershy meekly followed her best friend and lover, intrigued by the sights and intimidated by the sheer amount of ponies around her. She began to wish she was back with her animals instead of allowing herself to be dragged out into public by an attention seeking pegasus.
"All right Fluttershy. Your surprise is coming up." Rainbow Dash declared as the pair rounded a corner to face the majestic sight of the palace.
Looking to her companion curiously, Fluttershy mulled over what it could possibly be. A beautiful sight? Most likely, what else could she have possibly been able to set up?
The bold cyan mare broke her friend's trail of thought, "coming right up pal. I just don't want you to go around telling everypony what we are about to do."
"Oh... okay." The shy pegasus wondered what kinds of trouble her fillyfriend was planning for them.
"You trust me, right?" Rainbow paused, ready for take off. "Because you're going to love it."
"Of course I trust you Rainbow. You just make it sound like we're about to do something dangerous..." Fluttershy trailed off, still nervous.
"But, you're keen to give it a go?" The eager mare asked, a hopeful grin upon her mug.
After a moment's consideration, Fluttershy nodded slowly. "I'll do it, um... whatever it is."
"Alright! Come on, I'm sure you won't regret it!"
Fluttershy smiled shyly she followed her fillyfriend to one of the walls of the palace. She spotted the cyan mare scanning the walls, checking for signs of guards. Happy that the coast was clear, Dash nodded to her with a smile.
"Um... Rainbow. What are we going to do?" Fluttershy asked, feeling a wave of butterflies impact with her tummy.
The bold cyan mare motioned up at the wall, still grinning like a filly about to fly into the out of bounds zone on the flight course.
"But why? Can't we just ask nicely to be allowed in?"
"If we were coming for a boring visit I would have marched right up. But I've got something exciting to show you. It's like the most awesomest pet I've ever heard of!"
This new piece of information caused Fluttershy to have a change of heart and her nerves and fears quickly disappeared. A pet that was cool enough to make her mare excited, must surely be an amazing specimen.
"A pet? Ooooh...what kind of pet?"
"You'll see! C'mon, Flutters!" Rainbow Dash lifted off, offering her fillyfriend a hoof with a slight snigger.
Fluttershy accepted the offer, propelling herself carefully upwards alongside her friend. They flew along the palace walls, avoiding detection from the Royal Guards, as Rainbow searched for a specific window to view into. It took some time, even a couple of circles around, as she tried to locate the one she was looking for.
"In here." Dash motioned with her free hoof.
Fluttershy mutely nodded and allowed herself to be guided inside through the window. Right near it, on a perch, was a majestic and beautiful phoenix. Bright fiery red feathers, yellow accents, a strong beak, wise gleaming eyes, and talons that looked both sharp and yet majestic all at once. Fluttershy was stunned. Philomena. She had not seen her since the day Celestia showed up in Ponyville. That fateful day she had mistakenly tried to take care of what she thought was an animal in need. "H-hello Philomena. It's lovely to see you again."
The majestic bird squawked once in greeting but otherwise held her perch as though awaiting something important.
Giggling from the pegasus beside her broke the moment. "Oh dear, sweet Celestia... You should have seen your face... You look so adorable..." The bold mare managed between suppressed giggles.
"Rainbow..." Fluttershy giggled back, looking embarrassed, "But how can I not be? I've not seen Philomena in a while now! Oh, she's gorgeous! Look at her!"
"I know! I didn't expect such a cute filly face when you saw it." Dash nuzzled her, filling the shy mare with a warm buzz inside.
The creamy yellow pegasus giggled, overtaken with affection and awe all at once. "She seems to be waiting for something."
"Yea?" Dash grinned. "Well, in that case, we better go before-"
"Hello, my little ponies. It's so good to see you again." The majestic form of Princess Celestia entered the room behind the pair.
"Meep!" Fluttershy squeaked in fright and jumped into the hooves of Rainbow Dash.
"Princess Celestia!? We um... were... just here to... um..." The guilty blue pegasus glanced around trying to find an excuse for the couples' seemingly random appearance.
Princess Celestia giggled, smiling at them warmly, "There is no need to be afraid, Rainbow Dash. I was coming to feed her, and I overheard your voices. Hmm, I don't know why you couldn't simply come to me and ask to see Philomena again. I'm sure she would have been delighted."
"You really mean it?" The timid mare crept out from her lover's hold as delight in the new pet returned.
The princess held out her hoof and Philomena flew and perched onto it. Then Celestia nodded and the phoenix flew up to Fluttershy. Nervous, the yellow mare held her hoof out as well, to which Philomena gently landed to perch on it, happy.
"It's times like this Fluttershy that your love of animals pays off, all right! That is cool!" Rainbow Dash grinned as she took in the regal sight of her mare with the fiery bird perched upon her outstretched foreleg.
"I do not mean to pry, of course, but I do ask simply because I'm curious, what brings the two of you to Canterlot?" Celestia asked, holding her hoof out for Philomena to return to her, which the phoenix did so.
"Well, I wanted to show Fluttershy that nifty bird you have there! And I guess for a change in scenery. Then I dunno, maybe we could head to someplace else that is cool too? But really, we're just making it up as we go along!" Dash declared happily, completely missing the point that she had broken into Canterlot's palace to do so.
"I see. Does this mean that I am able to entertain two of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony for the evening then?"
"Oh n-no, we could never impose upon you, Princess!" Fluttershy replied humbly.
"Don't be silly, you two. It would bring gladness to my heart to spend time with the two of you if you would like." The smiling princess lit the room with her radiant smile.
"Hey, that'd be cool! Sure! We're in!" Rainbow Dash promptly agreed.
With a massive grin upon her muzzle, the blue pegasus turned to her loved one. "This is going to be great Fluttershy! You'll get to see more of this awesome phoenix and then we'll get to stay in one of these massive rooms together."
"Of course," Celestia added, placing Philomena onto her perch. "Should you two wish to stay the night, I would be glad to offer you a room."
"I- I... um... all right. Thank you, Princess..." The reply from the yellow pegasus was barely audible, yet caused the already bright smile to expand.
"Yes please!" Rainbow Dash cut her quieter companion off before the quiet ramble could continue.
"Splendid, then. Oh, and I had forgotten to mention, Twilight Sparkle is here as well. She came this morning to study on some subjects she had wished to catch up on, due to not owning the books that she can find here in the palace library," Celestia informed them.
Both mares looked at the princess in surprise then at each other. "Twilight?"
"Yes. I had my sister join her. Poor Luna is more reclusive that even Twilight used to be. And I know they get along very well," Celestia smiled knowingly.
"Oh. I'm sorry." Fluttershy said softly. "It's- very nice of you to let them work together."
"If you like, we can go and find out." Celestia gave them a kind smile before turning and starting to walk off.
"What the hay, sure! C'mon, Fluttershy! Let's go see what this shindig is about!" Dash eagerly waved for her fillyfriend to follow.
Celestia led the way out, she briskly clopped off down the hallway. It was clear she knew the pair would be hot on her tail.
Just before the couple were about to leave, Rainbow Dash leaned in close to whisper in the yellow mare's ear. "Imagine what we could do in a bed in this palace... it must be huge." The cheeky cyan pegasus pulled away, she wore a grin from ear to ear. It was clear she had a few ideas in mind.
"Oh..." Fluttershy blushed and looked away. "T-that sounds...fun." She allowed a wing to brush against her lover's side.
Tingles raced through both pegasi as they walked out of the well adorned room into the hallway.
"Of course it will be." Giggled Dash. "I'm sure I'm not the only one with ideas too."
Fluttershy smiled back shyly, she did, in fact, have a few things in mind, none of which she felt willing to share anywhere near other company.
Mighty Wing, Griffonstone
Flanked by two armoured griffon guards, Chief Grandeur strode down a bleak looking tunnel under his home.
"Sir, another good news is that one of my units have found the item referred to as the alicorn amulet. They intend to kill the pony who appears to have just discovered it." Scrafty, one of the pair informed his boss proudly.
"Is that so? I do hope that you manage to hide the body properly this time. We don't want another incident now do we?" The chief strode forward then paused, his gaze briefly upon the duo behind him. "I would hate to have to send our own griffons out on a search party for our own loyal griffs now. Doest I makest myself clear?"
"Yes sir. No body. No trace. The mare and her wagon will disappear."
The mighty leader nodded once and continued on his way as if nothing had happened. After a few moments, they came to a dead end. He slotted one claw into a solid looking patch of stone and stepped back. The sound of stone grating on stone echoed around the hallway. Moments later, silence reigned once more and the path forward was clear. The griffon smiled to himself, now came the fun part.
He stepped forth with measured steps and the senior guard flicked a switch on the side of the wall. Grating stone echoed from behind him, signalling that his secret entrance was closing behind him. The armoured griffon rounded a sharp corner and picked up the pace as flickers of light bounced across the walls. He rounded another corner and came upon his cavern.
The large cavern was at least thirty griffon paces long and twenty wide. There were tables scattered everywhere and armed griffon guards on raised platforms on each corner. Their platforms were covered with spikes on the outside and griffons carried a sort of crossbow, designed for their claws able use. At the tables worked twelve zebras and two aged earth ponies. They were all bound with their hind legs in chains secured to the floor near their workstations. They were working on a variety of armours, spears, swords and pikes. One small group at the front consisting of the two earth ponies alongside two zebras were working some sort of potion that flowed red through various tubes and fell bubbling into a beaker at the end. There were a collection of artifacts strewn around the room and a few blackened zones on both benches and walls that indicated recent explosive accidents.
"How goes progress, my friends?" Chief Grandeur announced his entrance with a flourish.
Murmurs and looks shot around the room, none of the prisoners liked his appearance.
"I would like to inform you all that we have successfully deployed the first wave of items and their battlefield testing has been more successful than I could have dreamed. The zebras loved it!"
The zebras at the benches shrank with despair as the lead griffon continued joyfully, "but don't let that give you any ideas. We have thy families and remember... any attempts to sabotage our schedule shalt give me a most excellent meal. Now, who has something new ready for testing?"
The boss griffon was met with nervous silence.
"No?" Claws rapped on hard stone. "No one? How about the project for my little pet?"
The two earth ponies and their zebra companions up front shrank back a bit in fear.
The guard to Chief Grand Grandeur's right coughed. "Sir. They appear to be in need of a test subject."
"Another?" A keen eye turned between the guard and the scientists up front. "I can bring thee a test subject. But please, don't blow this one up. I'm warning you."
A/N: This took longer than expected...
But I'm rather pleased with the developments. It's leading up to the next parts I have planned rather well :)
The Fluttershy hanging clothes on the line was inspired by a loverly fan art I saw quite some time ago with her hooves resting on the line. I thought it would make a cute addition to the otherwise (hopefully) tense bulid up that is going on here.
I would really appreciate some feedback here to know if what I'm doing is sucessful or not. If you have the time to write a review it would be most appreciated :)