Yet Another Horrible Decision - Chapter 6

				    Yet Another Horrible Decision

					     Chapter 6



>Fluttershy leads you through the state-room corridor to a doorway that leads to a downward stairwell.
>Remembering the path you took last night, you figure that your destination is at ground level, somewhere under the area of the throne room.
>“S-so, um, did you sleep well, Anon?” Fluttershy asks while looking at the floor, somewhat too shy to look towards you.
“Yeah, I managed to get plenty of sleep. I feel a lot better today.”
>She pulls ahead of you and pushes her way through one of two white doors with golden handles. You’re pretty sure at this point that most of the gold and silver here is just plating. The idea that all the metal objects are made of solid silver or gold is too mind-boggling to consider.
>You follow her into the room beyond.
>“Good morning, Anonymous,” several voices chirp from within.
>The six ponies who’ve led you to the castle and the two princesses sit at a long wooden table draped with a fine white lace tablecloth.
>The six are all seated along the sides, two on one side and three on the other until Fluttershy takes her place and finishes the asymmetrical pattern.
>Princess Celestia sits at the head and Princess Luna at the foot, not that you’d expected any differently. An open chair sits to Celestia’s right, a position on Earth reserved for the guest of honor. You idly wonder if the same etiquette prevails here. You go forth and take your seat.
“Good morning, everyone. I hope you’ve all slept as well as I did. I must thank you again for allowing me to stay and providing me with such luxurious accommodations, Princesses.”
>The table, although larger than what you’re used to, is still small enough to allow for easy conversation at a soft volume.
>“I’m glad that you’re so pleased, and I am very much impressed by your gratitude. Some of the... guests I entertain can be rather difficult, at times,” Celestia responds, looking at you with a warm and comforting gaze.
>“Dear sister, we need not burden our visitor with palace politics at this time. Forgive us, Anonymous, for we did not wish to wake you. At the moment we’re somewhat unsure of what your kind prefers to eat. Given the description of the meal that Twilight and her friends shared with you, we went ahead and assumed you would be satisfied with the same meal we shall all eat. I hope this is alright,” Luna says. You’re unsure if that last part was a statement or a question. Luna looks as if she hasn’t slept at all; although she is immaculately groomed, her slightly drooping eyes betray her exhaustion.
“Well, I suppose human eating habits will be on the list of things I can discuss with Twilight over the next month, but I may as well answer now. We humans are omnivores, able to eat both meat and plant matter. We’re not obligate carnivores, though, and many people in my country and others limit themselves to fruit, vegetables, beans and the like out of a personal sense of ethics.”
>“I see... And what of yourself, Anonymous? Where do you stand on the consumption of flesh?” Luna inquires with a peculiar tone.
>Oh boy, how to go about this? You decide to tell the truth. Certainly you’re not the only creature in this land that eats meat, although you may be the only sapient one.
“I have no problem with it. As a matter of fact I quite enjoy some meat. However, humans are the only sapient creatures on our planet. I have no intentions of eating anything that can ask me not to, so you needn’t worry about me chewing on the waiter.”
>The trepidation creeping on the ponies’ faces ever since you mentioned your natural omnivorousness quickly falls away as you explain yourself, replaced by soft smiles and sighs of relief.
>Conversation pauses as two unicorns enter from the far side of the room, a faint magical glow surrounding the covered plates they’ve brought with them.
>“Ah, excellent. Our breakfast, and my sister’s dinner, have arrived.” Celestia announces to the table, mostly directed at you.
>The nine plates all hover down before everyone at the table, followed by nine small teacups and nine glasses of water.
>“Tea, sir?” one of the serving ponies brusquely asks you.
“Yes, certainly. Thank you.”
>An elaborate teapot floats over to your cup and pours until the cup is nearly full.
“Have you any sweetener?”
>You’re rewarded with a sharp nod and a small pot of sugar floats next to your teacup. Using one of the solid silver spoons you stir a few spoonfuls into the tea.
>After the serving ponies finish their rounds with the beverages, they lift off the plate covers using their magic and exit the room as silently as they entered.
>The pleasant smell of freshly cooked potatoes wafts into your nostrils. Your meal consists of something similar to home fries, scrambled eggs with cheese, and a piece of hearty looking buttered toast. All the other ponies seem to be having the same.
>The six Elements all seem to be waiting on the princesses, who are as aware of this fact as you are. Celestia floats her teacup to her mouth and sips at the hot liquid. Luna gathers food onto her fork and takes a dainty bite.
>“Alright everypony, let’s eat!” Rainbow exclaims, you can almost see the hunger visibly rippling through her skin.
>“Rainbow Dash! Mind your manners, a proper lady speaks softly at the table,” Rarity rebukes.
>Rainbow doesn’t bother to respond, although she does seem to take more care as she slowly begins to eat.
>Thirst strikes you and you take a drink of your tea. It’s still quite hot, but not so much you can’t notice the flavor. Although it’s likely a simple black breakfast blend, it’s a fairly good variety.
>You set down your cup and grab your elegant silver fork, spearing a few potatoes and bringing them into your mouth.
>As you chew you look around the table. Twilight is watching you with undisguised interest, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow are animatedly conversing, Luna seems to be resting her eyes a moment before opening them and continuing to eat. Fluttershy quietly eats her meal, looking down into it as if to avoid eye contact. Rarity addresses you: “So Anonymous, what do you think of this delightful breakfast?”
>Celestia pipes in as well: “Yes, Anonymous, please, do tell. I hope it’s to your satisfaction.”
“From what little I’ve had, I enjoy it. You must compliment the chef for me.”
>She seems to be pleased with your answer. You wonder what would’ve happened if you insisted on some kind of meat.
>An unrelated thought comes to mind.
“So Princess, I have a request for you.”
>Celestia finishes chewing and brings a napkin to her mouth, lightly patting the nonexistent crumbs away.
>“Yes, Anonymous? What is it?”
“Well, since I’m going to be here awhile, I’m hoping that maybe, if you were to take the costs from my salary, I may be able to have a hangar built to house my plane.”
>An unreadable expression passes over her face. “I’m afraid I can’t provide you an answer immediately. I’d very much like to see this ‘plane’ of yours first.”
>You were afraid she’d say that.
“Maybe you’d be willing to take a look at it today? I mean, I don’t know what your schedule is like, but it’s somewhat important I get a hangar built to house it as soon as I can. I don’t know how bad Equestrian weather can get, but I’d rather not have to constantly worry every time a storm cloud passes by.”
>Celestia glances at Luna, who returns her look. An unspoken understanding seems to pass between them.
>“That may be possible. We do have a few hours until your welcoming ceremony begins. My sister needs to rest, however... I’ll have my majordomo handle anything that comes up. Yes, I think I can agree to your suggestion. I don’t suppose you’d be ready to go shortly after we finish?”
“Thank you very much, Princess. I have no objection to the timing; the sooner the better in my opinion.”
>You and the ponies in your company spend the next hour finishing breakfast, conversing, and sipping tea.


>The morning sun hangs cleanly in the clear summer sky.
>Most of the ponies you broke fast with took off to take care of their various duties for your welcoming reception, save for Princess Luna who retired to her chambers and Princess Celestia who guided you out of the castle.
>You were taken to a point overlooking the city of Canterlot, a smallish space where several chariots rest inside a garage-like structure.
>Two of Celestia’s royal guards have hitched themselves to one chariot of white painted wood embossed and lined with gold, evidently one of Celestia’s personal chariots.
>The two guards are, like most that you have seen, pegasi clad in armor.
“So, bear with me here... This chariot, your chariot, is a sky-chariot of some sort? I take it the pegasi guards will be flying, but I’m... well, a little worried about how the chariot itself will get airborne.”
>“Yes, Anonymous, it is a sky-chariot. You needn’t worry, however. I’ve taken many flights in these myself over the years and I can assure you we’ll be perfectly safe,” Celestia says in an attempt to reassure you.
“I, ah, hmmm. I suppose I’ll have to trust you. I doubt you’d put me in danger intentionally. It’s just, y’know, I don’t have wings is all. In case something goes wrong. What am I supposed to do in this thing, anyway? Just stand? Unsecured?”
>Celestia laughs lightly, a pleasant sound akin to a mother’s wonder at her children’s ideas.
>“Yes, Anonymous, you’ll have to stand unsecured. You’re more than welcome to hang onto the frame, if you like. And I promise that if anything goes wrong you’ll have my wings to help you. Now then, our time’s getting short. Let’s be off, hm? I’d like to see this flying machine of yours.”
>Celestia climbs into the chariot and sits on her haunches. She is a truly regal creature, the only one you’ve seen, outside of Chrysalis, that can match your standing height.
>You exhale and step onto the chariot yourself. The idea of flying freely, without any straps or even seats, doesn’t sit well with you.
>“Guards, to Wonderbolt Fields please,” Celestia orders.
>You tightly grip onto the frame of the sky-chariot as the pegasi in front strongly flap their wings. A moment passes and you feel gravity being conquered as the chariot lifts into the air.
>It’s actually quite level, although you maintain your white-knuckle grip on the frame.
>Celestia looks at you with a smile and then returns her gaze to the vista in front.
>The pegasi begin to fly downwards somewhat and the chariot loses its levelness and tilts forward. Your feet stay firmly planted, though, as if it were as level as it was just a moment ago.
>The view in front of you is magnificent; the gleaming city of Canterlot stretches forth, illuminated brightly by the warm summer sun. Several ponies are walking about, going on with their daily errands. Shopkeepers are setting up stalls in front of their stores, children (foals?) are playing in the wide avenues, their parents watching from the stoops of their homes.
>“Every time I leave I get to watch my subjects go about their lives. It always pleases me, and more than makes up for the difficulty inherent in governance,” Celestia says, half to you and half to herself.
>You don’t respond, still concerned about this flight. One the one hand you’re amazed, on the other you’re more than a little afraid.
>The carriage ride from Wonderbolt Fields took around fifteen minutes. This chariot flight is finished in a third of that.
>The last leg of the flight affords you a glimpse at Wonderbolt Fields that you were unable to focus on last time. The track you landed on yesterday is the most prominent feature, a large paved oval not dissimilar to a NASCAR track. The center of the oval has several small trees in a grassy area. Your Stuka is clearly visible, being on the side of the Fields nearer to the castle. There are several buildings offset from the track itself. The largest of the four is centermost, a two story structure with a design reminiscent of an early 20th century aerodrome office. There are two other buildings, smaller and mostly square, to the left of the primary structure. The remaining building is nearly the size of the first. It’s further away, adjacent to a second, smaller paved trackway of similar design to the larger primary track.
>On the main trackway towards which you are headed are several blue-clad pegasi flying laps around the track. Two others stand in the center grassway, watching the others and taking notes, primarily from a machine that’s unknown to you.
>The two pegasi in the center notice the sky-chariot first, calling out to the others. They stop their laps and all fly towards the two. The chariot makes a soft landing roughly equidistant between the group of pegasi and your plane.
>“You see, Anonymous? That wasn’t so bad, was it? Although now I’m all the more curious as to how this ‘plane’ of yours works, given your reaction to this short flight,” Celestia says to you with eyes that almost seem to laugh on their own.
>The six Wonderbolts all trot towards the chariot in a ‘V’ shaped formation. They all bow the same way the Elements did yesterday in nigh-simultaneous unison. This is a well trained team.
>“Good morning, your highness. What brings you to Wonderbolt Fields today?” the orange maned pegasus--Spitfire, if you recall correctly--says as she finishes her half prostration.
>“Good day, Spitfire. And a good morning to the rest of you, as well. I’ve come along to take a look at this magnificent flying machine that Anonymous here came in with yesterday,” Celestia nods slightly at you.
“Morning, everyone. I didn’t expect that I would see you all so soon, but I’m glad to meet with you all again.”
>“Heya, Anonymous! You seem to have gotten on well with the Princess. Your meeting went smoothly then. That’s great! We’ve been keeping an eye on this machine of yours. Well, we’ve all actually been pretty amazed by it,” Spitfire adds with a wink and a smile.
>Celestia turns and steps off the sky-chariot, walking slowly in the direction of your parked plane. You follow shortly, Spitfire catching up and walking at your side. The other Wonderbolts all make their way toward the plane as well.
>After a moment you find yourself standing next to Celestia with Spitfire on your other side and the remaining Wonderbolts form a semicircle around the plane, eager to hear your forthcoming explanation.
>Celestia steps ahead and circles around the craft, taking in as much detail as she can before returning and facing you.
>“I must say, Anonymous, I’m more and more satisfied with Twilight’s suggestion. Never before have I seen such an odd machine. It looks too heavy to fly on its own, and I doubt magic has anything to do with it. Would you mind giving us a short explanation on the principles behind its operation?” Celestia inquires loudly enough for all to hear. You take that as an invitation to speak to all gathered around.


“...like so. I guess the shortest way to put it would be that the propeller, ah, propels the plane forward until it achieves such speed that the air running under and over the wings provides lift, allowing the craft to take flight. The smaller wings here,” you point at the tail fins, “technically known as the ‘empennage’, are essential to the stability of the plane and also have little flaps, ‘elevators’, that allow for a downward or upward variation in attitude.”
>The ponies, by now all gathered in front of you, stare at you uncomprehendingly.
>Spitfire’s eyes light up with recognition, however, and she walks over to you and faces the group.
>“I think I get it. Alright everyone, if I’m not wrong then it’s essentially a constant glide. It needs the long space to take off because it can’t flap its wings, but once it gets airborne it can stay up there as long as a gliding pegasus--or alicorn--can. That help you all understand?”
>An affirmative chorus erupts from the Wonderbolts, even Princess Celestia joins in. It’s a little odd to see her there as if she were a student. It does make you respect her a little more, though, knowing that she’s willing to learn as much as she is to rule.
>From everything you’ve seen thus far, evidence of her being a ‘tyrant’, as Chrysalis claims, is very thin.
>“That’s very interesting, Anonymous. And thank you for your insights, Spitfire; it elucidated the matter quite clearly. However, Anonymous, I must ask: Is this ‘plane’ of yours a weapon of war? It very much seems like one. The, um, ‘propeller’, I think, looks rather like two sword blades. If they were to spin as fast as you say, would they not form a whirling vortex of death?” Celestia asks, staring you straight in the eyes.
>Oh boy, how to go about explaining this?
“Well, I’m not going to lie to you, Princess. This particular model, the ‘Stuka’, was originally built for warfare. The propeller has nothing to do with it, though; rather this plane originally carried a large bomb here,” you move to the plane and crouch, pointing at the empty bomb-carriage. “However, we humans have a saying, ‘to beat swords into plowshares’, meaning to convert weapons of war into tools suitable for a peaceful society. There is no bomb at present; it’s likely this plane was converted into a mail carrier.”
>Celestia eyes you with suspicion for a moment, then softens her gaze, seemingly accepting your explanation.
>“I... see. I can’t say I’m exactly comfortable with a foreign war machine in my lands, but... How about this: I’d like a demonstration of its flight. We still have some time yet, and if I’m satisfied it can be used safely then I’ll consent to building this ‘hangar’ of yours.”
>Hell, any chance to fly this thing is a good chance, as far as you’re concerned. If that’s all it’ll take to get a hangar built, then so much the better.
“Alright, Princess, you got it.”
>You clamber onto the wing and swing open the cockpit, remembering at the last second to remove the chocks from the wheels. You jump back down and find yourself face-to-face with Spitfire.
>“Hey Anonymous, there was a pony sitting in back yesterday, right? I’d like to come with you. See how this thing feels on the inside. Is that alright?” she asks in earnest.
>You make a show of mulling the decision over, although you already know the answer. What could it hurt? If anything, she’ll be likelier to help you convince Celestia when you get back.
“Alright, Spitfire, you can come. Go ahead and hop in the back; I’ll be there in a second. And make sure to strap yourself in, if you’re able!”
>You remove the chocks of wood from under the wheels and neatly stack them off to the side, turning to address the group standing nearby:
“I guess Spitfire’s coming along with me. Stand back a little and don’t go on the track until I’ve taken off. Just to be safe, y’know?”
>Spitfire shouts from the backseat, having already gotten in.
>“Hey Rapidfire! Do me a favor and fly alongside us, would you? I’d like to see just how fast this thing can go.”
>She turns her head to you quickly. “If, if that’s alright with you, that is.”
“It’s fine. I like the idea anyway, I haven’t been able to really test it yet.”
>You climb onto the wing and into the cockpit, strapping yourself in and closing the canopy.
“By the way, Spitfire, I think I told you yesterday, but call me Anon. That’s what all my friends do, anyway.”
>“Alright then, Anon. So what happens now?”
>You don’t answer, instead turning the engine over.
>The propeller spits and sputters a moment before roaring into life.
>You taxi the Stuka forward and circle around the curve of the track. Now you have the straight shot you need.
>Increasing the throttle, you feel check your gauges and see that you’re nearing 150 km/hr, almost the speed needed for liftoff.
>The plane levels out as the tailwheel rises off the ground. You lower the flaps, set the throttle to 100%, and pull back on the stick until your pitch is about 7.5°
>You can feel the wheels gently lift off the ground. At this moment you’re now airborne, the Stuka able to achieve flight roughly halfway across the track.
>“I take it we’re in the air now, Anon?”
“What was that?! You’ll have to speak up! I can barely hear you!”
>“Nevermind! Rapidfire’s next to us now, watch out for him, yeah!?”
>Your pitch now at 10°, you have a moment to look out the side of the canopy. A white-maned stallion is keeping pace with your plane, although he appears to be having some difficulty maintaining this level of speed.
>The altimeter reads a height of 850m, a decent enough level. You push forward on the stick until you’re level and reduce the throttle to 60%. The roar of the engine drops to a reasonable level, allowing you to speak without shouting.
“So, Spitfire, what do you think?”
>“Pretty impressive!” she shouts, taking you off guard.
“Whoa there, no need to yell anymore. I can hear you just fine as long as you don’t whisper.”
>“Oh, sorry. Color me impressed, alright. We lost Rapidfire a minute ago but it looks like he’s catching up to us now. How fast can this thing go?”
“I’m not sure I can tell you in a way that’ll make sense. I don’t really know how you guys measure these things here.”
>Spitfire pauses a moment before responding. You look out the canopy again and see Rapidfire catching up, clearly exerting himself.
>“Now I almost feel bad for asking him to pace us... Anyway, we don’t have long, do we? Ya mind showing me a few tricks before we get back?”
>A grin forms on your face as you think of a few things to do.
“Not a problem, Spitfire. We’ll start with a barrel roll!”


>The rest of the Wonderbolts and Princess Celestia all watch as the strange craft lifts off the ground and angles its way into the skies above, Rapidfire doing his best to keep pace.
>Anonymous certainly proved to Celestia the principles of heavier-than-air flight.
>Furthermore, if both Spitfire and Rapidfire return safely, then she needn’t worry overmuch about the ‘Stuka’ having been a weapon. After all, chariots of all sorts were initially born of war.
>However, there is one thing she needs to do before Anonymous returned...
“Pardon me, Soarin’?”
>“Ah, yes, your majesty?” Soarin’ turns and faces her with a somewhat worried expression.
>“I don’t know what you all had planned for the day, but I was wondering if...”


>You have been in the air only twenty minutes or so, but Spitfire seems pleased with the little performance you made her a part of, if her gasps and exclamations of wonder are any indication.
>Poor Rapidfire, on the other hand, has been zigzagging alongside you for the entire time. You don’t have all day, though, so you resolve to show her one last trick before returning.
“Alright Spitfire, since you seemed to like everything else, I have one last maneuver to demonstrate before we have to quit.”
>Of course it’s going to be a mock bombing run. One of the most amazing things about this plane is it’s ability to automatically pull out of a strong dive, since the pilot is likely to black out or at least experience greyout due to the high g-forces involved.
>“Aww, so soon? I was really getting into this... Rapidfire could probably use a break, though; we rarely stay in the air for this long--and at these speeds--in our shows.”
>Nearing the Wonderbolt Fields, you look through the bombsight in the floor and select your ‘target’, a copse of trees just before the cliff face that hangs off the far edge of the Fields.
>Pulling the lever, you roll around until the plane is upside down and start to dive.
>The ground screeches toward you as the Stuka nears its ‘never exceed’ speed of 600km/h.
>You’re barely 100 meters off the ground when your vision washes grey and then the world goes black.