Chapter 25: King Shining Armor's and Queen Cadance's Big News
Lucky and Fire took off and soared through the air. Lucky kept up with Fire the whole time through the whole thing. She swerved, turned, dove and pulled up and still was staying kept up with Fire. Fire was impressed. So were the others watching, and even the ponies in Ponyville. Well, the ones who were outside anyway, they heard the commotion coming from the camp foals. Rainbow and all the others were watching too, they knew who the blue one was, and only Rainbow and Applejack knew who the red alicorn was.
"Who's Lucky racing against?", Spike asked. "I can't believe it, but it's Fire Dancer.", Applejack said. "That's Lucky's cousin.", Rainbow said. "Wow, look at them go. They're both good, Lucky's actually keeping up with Fire.", Twilight said. "That's my girl! Go Lucky!", Rainbow said, hoping Lucky would hear her, but kinda knew she wouldn't. Lucky on the other hoof was flying so fast, the wind whistling in her ears and whipping through her mane felt so awesome, now she got a sense of what Rainbow felt like when she was at flight camp racing the two boys who picked on Fluttershy.
Her and Fire did a bunch of tricks and now came the hardest ring of all, the one that nearly goes to the ground. Lucky saw that and her eyes got wide. "Oh no, I remember now. They're getting to the ring that's the closest to the ground yet. I bet the camp leaders and the camp foals are all nervous for Lucky, and Lucky's probably panicking. I should go up there and... oof!", Rainbow was just taking off when Applejack grabbed her tail and pulled her back down to the ground and leaned on her. "Oh no you're not Rainbow. Let Lucky do this. She needs ta learn don't she?"
Rainbow glared at Applejack, then when she finished her sentence, Rainbow sighed, she was right. Lucky's gotta learn somehow and she wouldn't be able to if Rainbow stopped her. Rainbow just watched nervously, same with Applejack. Lucky dove down with Fire and Lucky could see the ring get closer and closer. She looked over and saw Fire next to her still. Lucky then looked back ahead, and went just a bit faster, she didn't want to lose, she knew Fire was better than her, it's just Lucky wasn't thinking when she challenged her cousin. Then she noticed she actually was farther ahead of Fire, and she remembered what her father used to call her, a speed demon.
She grinned at the memory. She went through the ring and pulled back up, then she got to the platform again after finishing the course. She was exhausted, very exhausted. Fire then finally arrived on the platform just 2 minutes after Lucky. Fire Dancer then turned to the judges and asked, "So, who won? My scores then Lucky. Although I know who won already." They held up a few 9's and there was two 10's. "Wow, good job Fire.", Lucky said. "How about my scores?", Lucky asked. She scored the same as Fire. Lucky actually looked surprised. "Wow. It seems I'm just as good as you Fire." Fire nodded, "Seems so. Well, I really should get going now Lucky. Awesome job and I hope I see you again sometime soon."
Lucky nodded, then waved good bye as her cousin left for the Ponyville train station. Her fellow camp foals came up to her. "That was awesome! Too bad there couldn't be a score for who got back here first too.", Scooter said. "Yeah, I would have won." Comet then said, "Do you and your cousin usually compete like that?" Lucky shook her head. "Not really. That's actually the first time that we did something like that." Then the foals all got together, all 5 groups, and they played under the supervision of their camp leaders. Lucky had never had as much fun as she did since before her and her parents left Fillydelphia.
That night when her and her bunk mates went to their bunk house to go to bed, Lucky was really happy with what happened that day. She got to see her cousin and she got to play all day and make new friends. She especially liked Comet, even though Comet's all dark and everything, Lucky got her to lighten up a bit and have fun. That was the true highlight of Lucky's day and she couldn't wait to write about that to her mamas. "Psst, Lucky. You asleep yet?" Lucky grinned, it was Scooter. "No, not yet. Just thinking about today." "Oh, ok. Have fun?" "Yeah, I did. It was the most awesome day, especially since I got Comet to lighten up."
Scootaloo chuckled lightly. "Yeah, you're good at that Lucky." "Well, I am the Princess after all. I have to be good at that." "Yeah, true. You make an awesome Princess Lucky. I know you've been told that many times, I just felt like saying it because it's true. I'm glad you became our Princess." Lucky smiled at that. "Thanks Scooter." "Anytime." Then they both yawned and fell asleep.
~with Applejack and Rainbow the next morning~
Rainbow and Applejack both woke up around the same time. They both got up and had breakfast. "Well, I reckon I should head on over to the orchards. What about you Rainbow? What will you do?" Rainbow looked up from her breakfast. "I was thinking of going to the weather factory in Cloudsdale. See this week's weather forecast." Applejack nodded. "Alright, that sounds good. Mind givin' me a heads up on what's comin'?" "Not at all." Applejack smiled, "Thanks Rainbow." Rainbow just nodded in return. Applejack took care of her plate and nuzzled Rainbow, "I gotta go. See ya later Dashie."
Rainbow grinned, "See ya later AJ." Applejack left, and Rainbow finished her breakfast, took care of her plate, and left for Cloudsdale. When she got to the weather factory she went to her office which had the schedule for the weather. "Hmm, today is supposed to be partly cloudy, that's good. Tomorrow... windy and Friday is overcast. Saturday night thunderstorms, and pretty bad too. Aw, poor Lucky. It'll be like that for her too. I hope she'll be ok. I know how much she doesn't like them. I also should tell Applejack so she can do what she does to protect her crops. So Sunday will be clearing up at noon. Ok. Time to get to work!"
Rainbow then went to the room where they make clouds, when she actually got to the factory, she had put the lab coat and hardhat on before going to her office. "Ok guys, you all know it's supposed to be partly cloudy right?" They all nodded. "Alright then, we need some clouds. Weather team, let's move on out." Then she flew out of the building with her team. Out came some clouds for them to position. Rainbow directed the team to position them somewhat over Ponyville and not to clump them together. She did help too, she just told them what to do with them first before helping. Pinkie watched the team as she walked to Sugar Cube Corner.
She smiled as she watched them. When she actually got to the cafe/bakery, she told the Cakes it would be partly cloudy. "Thank you Pinkie. You watched the team do their job?", Mrs. Cake said. "Yeah, I watched them while I walked here." Then the twins came down the stairs. "Pinkie!", they said. "Hey you two. Just getting up?" Pumpkin Cake nodded. "Pinkie play?", Pound Cake asked. "I'm sorry Pound Cake, I have to work to keep my place at Twilight's and my home. I'd love to if I didn't have to work to live where I do." The twins got sad faces on them. "Aw, cheer up you two, I'll play with you when I'm done working."
That made them happy. At the library, Twilight was dusting off the books and bookshelves to open up for the day. Spike was helping her. "So Spike. Do we have any books that have to come back today?" Spike went to the record book and looked in it. "We have three. Lyra took out a book, Berry, and Dr. Whooves." Twilight nodded and finished up dusting. Then she opened her door, flipped the sign to 'Open' and went on from there. At the Apple house Applejack, Apple Bloom, Big Mac, and even Cheerilee all were taking care of the trees and the crops. Next month will be the zap apple crops.
Apple Bloom watered the crops with Cheerilee. Applejack and Big Mac watered the Apple trees. In Canterlot Rarity had an order to fill from a couple ponies in Canterlot. Fluttershy is enjoying her summer off from college. She's watching Rarity work on the order that she has. Rarity and Fluttershy live in the castle, and they actually live in the part Rarity stayed in that one time when she hung out with the big shots when she was supposed to work on Twilight's present, which was a dress. Fluttershy's animal friends live in the garden outside of the room the Gala was in.
Fluttershy's laying on the bed watching Rarity work. Fluttershy still remembered when she asked for a French Aut Couture for the Gala, while Rarity had a bunch of other things to do as well, and Fluttershy still felt bad whenever she thought of that time. Lucky was woken up at 7 for breakfast and now it's 8. Now the foals have all started their training. When Rainbow got a break at noon, she knew it was time for the campers to have their lunch as well. She thought now was the best time to tell Lucky that there will be a pretty bad storm on Saturday night.
So Rainbow went to Lucky's camp first before heading to Granny Smith's farm. When she got to the dining hall she found Lucky easily only because she was the only alicorn there. "Hey Lucky." The foals all looked over at Rainbow in awe, their hero Rainbow Dash was actually there for real. "Hi Rainbow-mama, what are you doing here?" The other foals who didn't know Rainbow was Lucky's mama were surprised to hear Lucky say that. "I thought I would come and let you know that I checked the schedule for this week's weather and it said Saturday we're supposed to have a bad thunderstorm during the night." Lucky didn't look too happy.
Rainbow chuckled at the look on Lucky's face. "That's why I came to tell you. I know you don't like thunderstorms so I thought I'd let you know beforehand so it doesn't come as a surprise to you." Lucky smiled at her mama. "Thanks. I'm glad you did." Rainbow smiled back then said, "Well I gotta go tell Applejack as well so she can protect her crops." Lucky's smile got a bit bigger. "Tell her I said hi please?" Rainbow nodded and ruffled Lucky's mane a bit. "You got it kiddo. Well, I'm off. Have fun in camp ok?"
"I will." Rainbow nuzzled her then went off to Granny Smith's farm to tell Applejack of the storm. The other foals went up to Lucky, now it's all one big commotion. Then they heard a whistle being blown. The foals all fell silent. "Now I'm sure Lucky doesn't want to be bugged all because your hero Rainbow Dash is her mama. Although... Lucky how is she your mother? I've never seen you with her before.", said one of the leaders. "I was adopted by her." Well, not a total lie. She was adopted by her, and also Applejack, but she's leaving that out. "Really now? That's really nice of her and unexpected too."
"Well, I was orphaned at 5, and she grew attached to me and started feeling like a mama to me and then she took action upon it when she felt she was ready to and adopted me." Another leader asked how she was orphaned. Lucky told her story and the others all felt bad, well, the ones who heard the story yesterday didn't feel as bad as they did yesterday, but they still were sympathetic. "That's gotta stink. So, who's Applejack?", one of the fillies asked. Lucky had told all the way up until Applejack found her. "You all have seen the apple cider with a single big red apple as its symbol in the grocery store right?", Lucky asked.
Everypony nodded. "Well, Applejack and her family are the ones who make it." Then they all understood. Speaking of Applejack, Rainbow had finally arrived at the farm and found her watering the trees. "Hey Applejack. I came to tell you the weather." Applejack looked up. "Hey Rainbow. So, what's it gonna be like? I can already see it will be partly cloudy today, but what about the rest of the week?" Rainbow flew closer to the ground. "Tomorrow's windy, Friday is overcast then Saturday night will be stormy, very stormy so you might want to protect your crops. Sunday will be clearing up towards noon." Applejack nodded, then said, "Poor Lucky. Did ya tell her about the storm?" "Yup, I told her before coming here." "Good. Alright, thanks fer tellin' me and you probably should get back ta work, k Dash? I'll see ya later fer dinner."
"You got it. See ya later.", Rainbow said then flew off. Applejack just watched her until she couldn't see Rainbow anymore. Granny Smith came over to Applejack. "I know that look. I used to have the same look when your grandfather and I were together." Applejack looked at Granny and smiled, "Yeah, I bet. Granny, ya sure you're fine with me bein' with another mare?" Granny gave her a stern look, "Now if I had a problem with it I woulda said somethin' by now. It's been three years since y'all been together. Don't worry Applejack. Long as you're happy that's what counts."
Applejack gave a single nod, happy that Granny Smith doesn't mind her being with Rainbow. "Thanks Granny. I'm glad ta hear that. Ya know, Rainbow and I are thinkin' now that it's been three years, and we've had Lucky fer three years, we've got closer as a family and everything 'specially Rainbow and I have gotten closer as a couple, we might be thinkin' more of makin' us official. Though we might wait a few more years... I dunno if this is truly the right time." Granny just said, "You'll know when the time is right, I did and yer grandfather too. We both felt the time was right, we made a good choice. You know how you'll know when the time's right?"
Applejack shook her head. "You'll feel it, in here." Granny put a hoof over Applejack's heart. Applejack smiled, "That's real cool. Well, I'll make sure my heart tells me when it's the right time. I'll even tell Rainbow when I see her at home." Granny smiled, "Good. Well, I should let you get back ta work." Applejack nuzzled Granny before she went back in the house then got back to work. With Twilight it wasn't really terribly busy today. When it became 1:00, she got quite the surprise. Her parents, brother, and sister-in-law arrived in her library. Her brother said, "Got any good books librarian?" Twilight looked up, she knew that voice. "Shining Armor! Cadance, mom, dad, what are you all doing here?"
They all smiled and her mom said, "I thought you might like some visitors. Especially ones who you haven't seen in the longest time." Twilight went out from behind her desk and hugged them all. "This is such a nice surprise. Oh my gosh, mom, dad, wait until you meet our Princess of Ponyville. You'd love her. She's only 8 and is running a whole town by herself. She's in flight camp now though... darn it I just remembered that. Shoot, I'm sorry. I guess you'll have to visit another time to meet her. Cadance, Big Brother, you've already met her when she was 5. Actually, mom and dad, you've seen her, you actually haven't met her. So, how's life being a King bro?"
"Oh it's great. Especially with Cadance with me, you know Twi, we're expecting very soon." Twilight looked at them excitedly. "Oh my goodness! When? This is awesome news." Cadance answered, "In about two months." Twilight bounced up and down, then Spike came in from doing up the dishes from lunch. "Hey, I heard you say you're going to have a baby? That's awesome, congrats." Shining Armor smiled, "Hey, there's Spike. How's it goin' little bro?" Spike high hooved his older brother. "It's going good."
"So, has Lucky grown any at all yet?", Twilight's dad asked. "A little bit. She's as tall as the crusaders, who also have grown a little." Speaking of, here comes one in the library now, Sweetie Belle. "Hi Sweetie. Here to check out a book or just browsing?" Sweetie waved at Twilight, "Hi Twilight. Nah, I just want to browse, oh hi guys." Cadance smiled at Sweetie, "Hi kiddo. Did you hear the news yet? It probably was all over the papers, me being a public figure and something like this usually gets in the news pretty quick." Sweetie grinned, "Yes, I heard. Congrats." Twilight then had a 'not fair' face. "Oh come on. Why haven't I heard about it?"
Spike said, "Well, you don't really read newspapers or sell them, so... and you're always here in the library, except for when Princess Lucky went to flight camp, but you haven't really heard anypony talking about the news. Yes I know this is the first time I heard too, but still, think about it for a minute." Twilight lowered her head in defeat. She knew Spike was right. She really should make a day off for herself or something instead of staying in this library and doing her job 24/7, well, not literally. She hasn't really had a day off in almost a year. Lucky was in a play that her school had and Twilight wanted to go and see it. It was on a Saturday and it was at 2 o'clock, during library hours.
Lucky did well and got good praise afterward. Twilight then looked at her mom. "How long are you guys staying here?" Her mom said, "A month, then we have to head back. Will Lucky be home before we leave?" Twilight shrugged. "She might be." "I hope so, I would really love to meet that little filly." Cadance then asked, "Has she gotten over her shyness yet?" Twilight smiled, "Yeah, she's finally good around a lot of ponies, and she's not claustrophobic like she was, well, not as, she's good with crowds, but other enclosed spaces, not so much." Cadance smiled, happy to hear that.
"Well, should we go walk around town? You can afford to let at least Spike come with us if not you yourself right?", Twilight's dad asked. "Actually, maybe I should make a day for myself. I haven't had a day off in a while. I think I can take a day off today." Her family was happy to hear that. Twilight got everything around to close up. Then she looked at Sweetie. "Aw, I'm sorry Sweetie. It's just I hadn't seen my family in a long while and they're in town and able to visit. I hope you understand." Sweetie smiled and said, "Of course I understand Twilight. It's ok." So Twilight and Spike took their family out on the town.
When they walked by the school Twilight said, "This is where Lucky goes to school. She loves it and loves studying. She gets excellent grades. Cheerilee has praised her for her grades and effort she puts into her work, and also the good work she does. She's much like me in that aspect. Now, she used to be like Fluttershy when we first met her but she's come a long way from that. She's like Pinkie Pie when she's happy and hyper, well, I should say she's like Pinkie in the way that she bounces when she's happy, hyper, and excited. She's like Rainbow because she hates girly things.
"It was funny when we first heard her say she hated girly things. We all were at the spa, she was 5 at the time, and Princess Celestia had visited for the day and met Lucky for the first time. We all helped Applejack buck the apple trees and we all went for a hooficure afterward. Rainbow and Lucky hung back. One of us asked Lucky if she'd like to join and she said, 'No way. I hate that kind of girly stuff.' We all laughed, Rainbow, this is before she adopted Lucky, Rainbow said, 'That's my girl!' then we all asked her to repeat herself, but she said something different. We knew what she said, we wanted to see if she'd actually repeat it. It didn't work though."
The others all laughed, "That's too funny. Seems like Lucky gets along very well with her mother then huh?", Twilight's mother asked. Twilight grinned and nodded. "Rainbow teaches Lucky a lot of things. She's a very good mother. Of course, she has help. Applejack helps her with Lucky. Applejack having a little sister is very good with Lucky. Lucky absolutely loves Applejack as well. Applejack plays with her and goofs around sometimes and even plays rough with Lucky, Lucky likes playing rough." Shining Armor then said, "Much like you and I when we were younger, although I was a big brother to you instead of parent. Still, it counts." Twilight nodded, then brought them to Sugar Cube Corner.
"Hey Pinkie, come meet my parents. They along with Shining Armor and Cadance are here. Shining Armor and Cadance has awe... well, you may have heard already. If you have, why didn't you tell me?" Pinkie came walking in. "Aw, sorry Twi, but I thought you might like the surprise. So, did you?" Twilight smiled, she didn't think of that. Maybe that's mostly why she didn't hear, not only because she hardly gets out, well, some ponies do come to the library, but they follow the rules of being quiet in the library.
That's one reason why, another reason is the other ponies know she's Shining Armor and Cadance's sister, so maybe they thought the same as Pinkie. The third reason being is she really doesn't read or even sell or have newspapers in her library. "Yes, actually I liked the surprise. Thanks Pinkie." Pinkie beamed, "Good! We can celebrate now! Cadance actually contacted me and planned it out with me about having a baby shower. So this isn't just random partying. It was planned." Twilight then said, "So that's why you wanted to talk in private. You two were planning. I was wondering why you suddenly pushed me out of the room and closed the door."
Pinkie giggled and said, "Yup! I explained to Cadance I wanted it be kept a secret from you until she came here and either she or Shining Armor told you." "That's good thinking Pinkie. I was surprised and I just loved hearing the news from them. Actually it's the best way to go." Pinkie looked back at Twilight, she was getting out the cake, and grinned. "I know, that's why I did it. I know you Twilight. I have for three years now." Twilight smiled gently, "I know. Need any help setting up Pinkie, or rather, want any help?" Pinkie nodded and told Twilight what she could do to help. Twilight followed Pinkie's instructions.
They all had gone to the park to set up. By the time they got done, ponies started coming in the park. "Mom, do you guys have anywhere to stay? If not you're welcome at my place." Her father said, "Well, we were going to stay at the Cakes' place, they said they had one guest bedroom then Pinkie's old bedroom which now is a guest room as well. You can't have enough beds." Twilight sighed, better tell them now before they find out the hard way. "Actually, I do. I already had another double bed other than mine, then when Pinkie moved in with me, she brought hers with her. She thought she had to sleep in her own bed.
"I told her she didn't have to, that my bed fits two. She wanted to make absolute sure that she could sleep in my bed with me. I told her that was fine, why bring another bed making less room than there already is, because my room is tiny, when she could sleep in my bed with me and there still be enough room to move around. You see, the Cakes may not have told you where she moved, so I am. With me because... well... oh how do I tell you? Well, it's like this, Pinkie and I are..." Pinkie rolled her eyes, "What she's trying to tell you is Twilight and I are marefriends, there. Not hard to say Twilight. You just have to blurt it out."
Twilight gave Pinkie a small look, "They're my family and I'm not sure how they'd take it ok? Please understand that. What would you have done if you tried telling your family? You come from an amish family Pinkie. They won't just readily accept I know that for a fact. I've read about the amish ponies. They're high in the faith of mare and stallion relationships. Our kind of relationship is not acceptable in their eyes." Pinkie actually thought about that. Twilight was right. Her family would never understand and they'd never accept it.
"You're right Twilight. I'm sorry. I should have thought of that." Twilight just smiled a small smile and nuzzled Pinkie. "It's ok Pinkie. You just have to think sometimes. Put yourself in my horseshoes and think like I do. Then you can truly understand where I'm coming from with that." Pinkie nodded, then Twilight's parents and siblings looked at Twilight, Twilight looked at them. "I'm sorry. I can't help who I love and I can't help the feelings involved." Twilight's mother just smiled. "I understand dear. Love is what it is. Welcome to the family Pinkie." Twilight's father also was happy for them. He agreed with Twilight's mother, love is what it is and no pony can say any different, no matter what kind of love.
"I too welcome you to the family Pinkie. I know you'll be very welcomed by our other family... well, maybe some. I don't think others may have heard of this kind of relationship before and they may not readily accept it. Give them time though, they'll come around." Pinkie smiled, "Thanks guys." Shining Armor just couldn't believe his ears. He never thought Twilight would be interested in anypony, let alone another mare. Cadance just smiled at the two. She as well was happy. As long as the filly she used to foalsit was happy. She loved Twilight as her own sister even before she became Twilight's sister-in-law.
"I'm sorry Twilie, I just need time to think. The way you used to be when we were young and before you moved to Ponyville kinda had an influence on what I think of this news. I never would have thought you'd be with anypony, let alone another mare." Twilight understood. "I understand big bro. I'll leave you alone with your thoughts. Pinkie and I will be over with the others." Armor just nodded. Twilight and Pinkie went over to Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Rainbow's still doing the weather with her team.
Applejack smiled gently as Twilight and Pinkie went over to her and the other two. "I see yer parents and sister took it well, but not yer brother as much." "I'm glad at least my parents took it well. I probably would have been worried about what they thought the most." The other three understood Twilight's concerns. Rarity had told her parents. Her dad thought nothing of it but her mother was shocked, but she got over it. (well... we don't know if Fluttershy and Rainbow have parents so... i'm going with the show and not mention them... unless the third season finally introduces them to us, then I will edit this chapter but for now, no parents for those two)
A/N: oh idk now XD maybe I'll just skip to when Lucky's done with flight camp, then she can show off her moves and meet Twilight's and maybe Rarity's and Sweetie Belle's parents.