The next morning, Michi and Harry made their way to breakfast and, hopefully, a calm explanation to their aunt about Michi's cutie mark. They both entered the room, but what they saw made Harry groan in despair. The royal tailor was talking to the princess.
"Get over it," Michi muttered. Rolling her eyes, Michi gave her brother a small hug. "I don't like fittings as much as you do, if there was a way out of going to the Griffin kingdom, I would be the first to try it."
"I know, but wearing all the clothes just makes me itch all over," Harry complained as they both walked into the room.
"Ah, Harry, Michi, I'm so glad you're here," Celestia greeted them with a smile.
"More like 'you're so glad that you don't have to track us down,'" Michi muttered under her breath, glaring at the tailor.
"I know both of you hate getting dressed up, but we're the representatives of this kingdom and we must look the part," she smiled at her niece, and then her eyes lit up at the sight of Michi's flank. "Now, what's this? I see you got your cutie mark!" Celestia's radiant smile became even brighter.
"Technically speaking, you are the main ruler, so the griffins answer to you," Michi stated, "And there isn't anything in the protocol books, I've read that says you need a minor Princess and an Heir-presumptiveto attend."
"True, Michi, but you're my family and I want you both to travel with me and see more of this land and get used to the politics as well"
"I am used to politics; you had me witness the normal day to day needs of Canterlot. As for the land, then choose a place where the citizens aren't like Blueblood, who thinks they are better than everypony else," Michi replied.
"Well, yes, he is a bit of a pain in the flank plus the truth is with you two there it does make these trips so much better and I promise it's the last one for a year" Celestia agreed
"No," Michi replied, "I'm not going, even If I have to write the Griffin King himself an apology note, I will."
With a sigh, Celestia looked at her, "Very well, I won't make you or harry go to this wedding. However, I ask you watch over Harry. I don't want a repeat of the last time I left you both here alone."
"I think you would be more afraid of me getting into a fight with that pompous griffin who insulted mother's memory three years ago," Michi stated, but then turned and trotted out of the room.
Harry ran to catch up with Michi and glomps her. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, and why the hay did you tell me about that feather head griffin?"
"Because I didn't need you there, besides I used logic to outsmart him." Michi answered, "But he and I do not get along."
"I'm sorry, Michi, but it's my job to help you. So please, next time tell me when somepony yanks your tail."
"Let me point out something: I'm four years older than you, and three years ago, you couldn't have done much to help anyway," Michi stated as she continued down the hall. "And last time we had run of the palace, we weren't really alone."
Then Michi and harry saw a house cleaner come up to them a gives Michi a note a bow and a smile to them both.
"What in Equestria could this be?" Michi asks, as she held up the note with magic. She read the note, "Insanity, simply insanity."
"What is it, Michi? What's in the note? What's crazy? Don't tell me auntie changed her mind" Harry asked.
"No, it's about the cute-ceañera," Michi answered, "its insanity."
"I don't know I think it will be nice and plus we can get everypony to come and have a good time and maybe shining and cadence will be there as well." Harry replied, "Well I'm off to find Duster and stop her from doing something too crazy." he left to look for his friend.
Michi heaved a sigh, why didn't anypony realize that she didn't like being the center of attention and that is what a cute- ceañera was about showing off your brand new Cutie Mark, her new cutie mark was strange, to say the least. It was the solar system. The question was just what solar system, was it?
As she moved to look at her cutie mark as heard a voice in song. Michi followed the voice,
As she got nearer to the voice, she saw an earth pony colt singing a song that brought a tear to most ponies hearing it.
Michi held her breath as she listened, she didn't want to disturb the colt.
"Oh memory, I will hold you near to my heart," the colt ended his song. Michi saw that he wore a cadets' uniform and his blue mane was cut short.
"That was amazing, and I have heard a lot of singing," Michi complimented, shuffling her hoof on the tile.
"Thank you but really it's just a hobby it helps with my stuttering when I was younger," the colt explained.
"Still you have a rather remarkable voice," Michi replies, "I can't sing at all, which is the best for this place, I might break the windows or something."
"How rude of me, I haven't introduced myself, I'm Ram Shot," the colt stated.
"Pleasure to meet you," Michi replied, "I'm Dimension but everypony calls me Michi."
"I know, I saw you at the opening ceremony with the Princess and Prince Harry. I'm honored to meet you face to face," Ram Shot replied.
"yes that, I couldn't stand it." Michi stated, "I don't like being the center of attention."
"I know how you feel, most ponies, when they hear me sing, want me to sing more. But I just freak out in a crowd," Ram shot agreed. "That's why I come here to sing," he then looked at her pleadingly. "Um j-j-just please don't tell the other recruits they just try to make me give a concert."
"Why would I do that? " Michi asked. "Then I would have to tell all my own secrets, and I don't want to do that."
"Thank you, your high-I mean Michi" he bowed his head once more.
"You're welcome." Michi stated, "Now I just have to figure out something do or figure out a punishment for my brother and his friend, knowing them...I have to be inventive."
"Oh, Harry and the little blue and gray filly he's always with? I think I saw them flying towards the barracks, they were carrying some kind of net."
Michi's eyes widened as she spun around and started galloping toward the nearest exit.
Just then they both heard voices yelling at those two ponies the first voice was clearly the old guard mare.
Then Harry's voice said "It was an accident, we're sorry."
Duster flew past both of them, laughing and screaming at the same time.
Michi leapt into the air as soon as she saw the blue and gray filly. She put all the speed that she had into her wings, "this just proves it, Harry isn't ready for anything at all."
"You two pranksters have gone too far, that was my last pair of shoes," the guardsmare yelled
"You got that right," Michi agreed, landing in the middle of the training grounds.
"Hehe, hi Michi" Duster said as she floated in what seemed to be a bubble gum globe.
"You have no ounce of shame to be shared between you two." Michi stated.
"Michi, we didn't mean to wreck knight gray's last set of shoes. Heck, we weren't even trying to get them," Harry stated.
"Another foolish tale," Michi stated. "What was it this time, Duster?"
"That there was a pair of Manticores' bones hidden in the barracks basement." Duster answered.
Michi rolled her eyes, "Why would there be Manticore bones in the barracks basement?"
"I don't know. A good luck charm or a lost trophy. It might even be an old pet, that was never buried," Duster answered.
Michi closed her eyes and counted slowly for ten to calm herself before she lashed out at the two foals. "This is the most insane stunt you have ever pulled! I do not want you to do something like this ever again, and where are you getting these stories?"
The young princess glared at the two sitting in front of the guardsmare.
"Your highness, I leave these two in your hooves and don't worry, I won't tell the princess of this… if they promise to never set hoof in the barracks unless it's for work or because you both joined the guard," the knight stated.
"Very well," Michi agreed.
The mare turned and walked back to barracks
"That was an idiotic stunt to pull," Michi growled.
The two looked like they both wish they could disappear at the moment.
"Go to your house, Dasher. I do not have the right to punish you, but I will be having few choice words with your parents," Michi states,
"Your right, Michi," Duster said, her eyes full of tears. "But please, don't be hard on Harry, it was all my idea." She said as she walked towards her home "Bye Harry hope to see you soon."
"Get your hindquarters back into the palace," Michi ordered sharply.
Harry waved goodbye to his friend then turned to face his sister with a sad look in his eyes. "Please Michi just punish me and don't tell her parents I knew better and the fault is all on me."
"Not a chance." Michi responded as she walked with her brother. "You have no idea how many times I had to cover for your pranks, somepony could have been hurt."
He walked back to the palace and went straight to his room. "I'm sorry, Michi. I was the one that should have stopped her before we even left the hall."
"But you didn't. So as much as it pains me to pull rank, I'm going to have to. You are grounded for the duration of Celestia's visit to the Griffins," Michi stated. "And I will be going over to the Duster's to speak with her parents as well. If she doesn't get some punishment for her actions, how will she learn that what she did was wrong?"
"Yes, ma'am and you're right, but I deserve worse. Umm... Michi before you talk to dusters parents, can you give her this?" Harry gave her small box.
"Do I look like delivery pony to you? No, I will not take that. It can wait." Michi replied as she used magic to shut her brother's door.
Michi walked down the hall, blowing her mane out of her eyes.
Ram shot trotted next to Michi "Michi, I heard about what happened are they alright? Nopony was hurt were they?"
"No pony was harmed, only a pair of shoes." Michi answered, "I had to ground Harry for that prank."
"Whew, thank goodness. I was afraid that somepony was harmed. Well I hope he's not too mad about the grounding," Ram shot sighed. "Anyway, Michi, would you like some company as you go today?"
"Not at all, in fact he didn't want me to tell Duster's parents, very commendable but it does makes me wonder why he didn't want me to tell her parents," Michi replied, "And I would enjoy that."
"Well then, let's go and ask why he didn't want to tell her parents. But the only thing I can think of is that he likes her and wants to protect her," he said as a smile appeared.
"I suppose," Michi agreed wondering if she would ever had that kind of colt to want to protect her.
"But still, they both need to pay for what they did. Now where are we heading to first?" Ram Shot asked.
"Just to Duster's," Michi answered.
"Isn't that in Cloudsdale?" Ram shot asked.
"No, they have a home here in Canterlot." Michi said, "Duster's grandparents live in Cloudsdale."
"Alright then, lead the way." he bowed to her comically trying to make her laugh.
Michi tilted her head unsure of what the Guard Cadet was doing.
"Cadet Ram Shot, what are you doing!" a gruff voice bellowed from behind Michi.
"Sir, I was just speaking with princess Dimension and was about to escort her to a friend's home." Ram Shot answered, saluting.
Michi spun around, her eyes wide in fright, her wings expanded to full length.
The senior guardpony stomped in to view and was about to lay into the cadet. Then he saw Michi next to him stopped and bowed. "Your highness, it's good to see you once more, was this cadet bothering you?"
"The only pony bothering me right now is you, you frighten me." Michi answered, lifting her head and commanding respect without noticing what she was doing.
Ram shot was blushing as the guardspony berated him, but stood at attention the whole time. He hoped that the princess was not frightened by his drill sergeant harsh words.
"Just what is going on here, and do I have to inform Princess Celestia?" Michi asks, her eyes never betraying how utterly stupid she felt doing this.
The old guard pony was shocked. "I'm sorry, your highness, that was not my intent. I saw the cadet and thought he was bothering you" he bowed his head once. " I'm cadet Ram Shot's drill instructor, I was just checking up on him and I'm sorry if I interrupt you both. I'll leave you to do whatever you need to do" he turned to Ram Shot. "The princess is your responsibility; Ram Shot watch her and follow her orders."
"Yes, sir," Ram shot saluted as he stood at parade rest.
The older guard turned and walked away.
Michi turned to Ram Shot, "That was well...interesting."
Ram shot just smiled at her. "You think he was scary now, just watch him in the exercise yard when you miss the target" Now that's scary. But wow you; you really are a royal pony you looked just like the sun princess."
Michi folded back her wings and blushed.
"I never thought I would ever see him back off that quick." Ram Shot continued.
"Enough of the praise," Michi stated, her blush deepening.
"It not praising if it's true, Michi. I was scared for a second or two whatever you do in the future, I know one thing: you're the leader." Ram Shot stated.
"How come everypony thinks that?" Michi asks, "Just because I studied the law books, doesn't make me a good leader."
"It's not just the fact you studied law, Michi, you have a real presence about you when you need it"
Michi shook her head, "well come on, I still need to speak with Duster's parents."
"And you're just a filly, imagine what you'll be like when your older." Ram Shot stated.
"Knowing my luck, I'll look like my mother." Michi responded wistfully.
"Well then 'lead' the way, and then maybe we could get something to eat later?" Ram Shot states.
Michi didn't lead the way; she walked side by side with Ram Shot to Duster's parents' house.
As they neared duster's home, they both heard screaming and plates crashing around.
Michi shot a concerned look at Ram Shot before taking flight.
As they, both got to the house they found Duster sitting outside on the steps with a sad look on her face.
"Duster?" Michi asked as she landed in front of the filly, "How long has this been happening?"
Duster looked up at Michi and sadly smiled at her "Michi! You mean this fight or the arguments in general?"
"Both." Michi answers, looking concerned.
"This one, I don't know. But they've been fighting for as long as I can remember," she said with tears slowly forming in her eyes.
Ram shot stepped up to the two mares. "Princess, do you want me to get the active guard to help stop this?" he asked with a voice barely held back.
"Yes, please," Michi answered.
"I'll be right back," he turned and ran off.
Michi started pacing thinking about what she should do, that environment wasn't best for growing fillies, "Duster, do you have any relatives that could allow you to stay for a few days?"
"In Canterlot, no. But in Cloudsdale, I have my grams," Duster said.
"Once that guard gets here, you will put together your saddle bags, and anything you want to bring to the palace." Michi stated.
Duster stared at the princess " oh no, Michi, I can't do that, I'm just a commoner, its ok. If I visit Harry but I can't do that," she stammered at Michi.
"Consider it a royal command," Michi stated. "Fact is; it's not safe for you to stay here, until your parents get the help they need."
Ram shot returned with three of the biggest guards that Michi had ever seen.
Michi then directed them to open the door and stop the fighting.
The guards walked in. A few minutes later, they walked out with the two ponies in tow.
Michi stared them down, "You are in no way suited to care for a foal."
They both stared at her, their heads bowed; they both had cuts and bruises on them. Michi felt that if the guards were not there they would have tried to hurt each other more.
Michi felt ponies start to gather around to watch and gasp at the sight, "Therefore it is within my right as a Princess of Equestria to order you to seek help find a therapist pony or somepony to help with your problems. Fighting is not the answer. Until you can solve your problems without fighting, your daughter will no longer be in your care."
"Yes, your highness." they both said with a sad expression.
"Get your stuff, Duster." Michi stated, looking at the filly.