Chapter 11: Twisted ｢ＦＩＲＥＳＴＡＲＴＥＲ｣

>You breath out and, using your magic, carefully guide the thin piece of thread through the eye of the needle floating in front of you.
>This extravagant display is hardly necessary, but the little ritual is just what you need to clear your mind before working on a new design.
>You breathe out, releasing all your tensions before turning to the blank canvas of the dress form before you.
>Only to immediately be snapped out of your serenity by a loud crash as the door to your studio slams open.
“Sweetie Belle I don’t know how many times I’ve told you-”
>”I GOT INVITED!”
>To your surprise it’s Rainbow Dash, not your sister, that has decided to interrupt your sewing session.
“Invited to what, darling?”
>”Some fancy party in Canterlot. It doesn't matter what though, because the Wonderbolts are going to be there!”
>Dash does an idle flip in the air, and you have to rush to catch one of your dress forms with your magic as she knocks it over.
“Well that’s nice and all dear, but I don’t see why you need to barge in just to tell me.”
>”Oh, well they sent you an invite too. I guess it’s to say thanks for the whole Wind Rider thing.”
>A letter floats its way over from Dash’s hooves, carried (you assume) by Anonymous, her stand.
>You thank the intangible entity as they hand you the letter and take a moment as your eyes skim over the parchment.
“You are cordially invited… an exclusive event… at Canterlot Gardens?!”
>Your gaze travels across the guest list and you have to stop yourself from screaming in excitement.
“Oooh Rainbow Dash thank you!”
>Instead, you grab startled pegasus with your magic. Partly so she’ll stop knocking your stuff over, and partly to wrap her in a hug.
>Almost immediately you drop her however as you realize the immediate problem.
“But this is tomorrow night! What in the name of Celestia am I going to wear?!”

https://youtu.be/aaojFmFnNKE

Chapter 11: Twisted ｢ＦＩＲＥＳＴＡＲＴＥＲ｣

>The day goes by like a blur, and you’re not sure when you found the time to design a dress for the party, organize a foalsitter for Sweetie Belle, sleep, do you makeup, see a mane stylist and take the train to canterlot to arrive on time, but you take comfort from the fact that here you are, standing at the entrance of Canterlot Gardens as proof that you managed to pull it all off.
>You roll your shoulders, sending a ripple along the deep purple fabric of your dress all the way to it’s white trimmings.
>”There’s no need to show off Rarity, we’re not even in the party yet.”
>You turn and cock an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash.
“Are you feeling alright darling? I swear I just head you of all ponies advocating against showing off.”
>Rainbow tries to articulate a comeback, only to end up sharing in your smile and shrugging.
>”Well I am Equestria’s resident expert in showing off, so you know I’ve gotta know what I’m talking about.”
>Rainbow Dash turns to her left, listening to her stand you guess, and after a moment just shakes her head.
>”You’re too pessimistic Anon. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“Sure what will be fine?”
>”Oh, Anon was just wondering what the chances were there’d be a stand user at the party.”
“Darling please, these are Canterlot’s, if not Equestria’s elite. Even if they did have stands I’m sure they’d be above resorting to a crass, unprovoked altercation the moment they see you.”
>”See, nothing to worry about.”
>Rainbow Dash elbows the air (which is only slightly disconcerting to watch) and, not wanting to waste any more time, the two of you enter the gardens.
>While you had heard faint music while standing outside, the moment you enter it reaches an acceptable, ambient, level and you suspect that the grounds have had a muffling spell cast over them.
>Laid out before you is the rich tapestry of Canterlot high society; business ponies mingling with foreign dignitaries, royalty standing beside musicians and artists (and not to mention fashionistas such as yourself), scholars standing beside…
>”Oh my gosh, there they are!”
>You grab Dash with your magic as she attempts to shoot over to the Wonderbolts and tisk.
“Honestly Rainbow Dash, try to at least act civilized. Ponies are watching you.”
>As if to partly prove your point, a refined looking zebra looks your way, drawn by the slightly raised tone of your conversation, and gasps when he sees the two of you.
>Rainbow Dash grumbles something that you don’t give the dignity of acknowledging, and the two of you walk over to the fiery-haired leader of the Wonderbolts, Spitfire.
>”Hey, glad to see you two could make it.”
>”Well you know, my schedule was clear and all so I thought I’d drop by.”
>You roll your eyes at Rainbow Dash’s attempt at being ‘suave’ and attempt to take the reins of the conversation.
“Thank you for the invitation. It was quite a surprise for BOTH of us.”
>”No problem. You did a good turn for us by catching Wind Rider. Plus since you own that boutique I figured this sorta thing would be right up your alley.”
>”You got that right.”
>You shoot Dash a look, and Spitfire just smirks.
“So you know about Canterlot Carousel. Are you a customer, per chance?”
>”I like to do my research. Though, if the Wonderbolts ever need new uniforms you’ll definitely be on the shortlist. Afterall why stop at having just one of the Elements of Harmony on the payroll, eh Dash.”
“I...I…”
>As the two of you you try to pick your jaws up off the floor, Spitfire seems to spot some change in the crowd and cuts the conversation short.
>”Well, it’s nearly time for mayoral candidates to give their speeches and I’ve got to go give my earnest endorsement.”
>Spitfire poses dramatically, chest puffed out and head cocked skyward.
>”A Brave New Canterlot. Thrilling stuff.”
>Her sarcastic tone tells you all you need to know, and you wave her off as she disappears into the crowd.
>You and Dash look at each other and let out a simultaneous (and admittedly unladylike) squeal of excitement.
“Designing uniforms for the Wonderbolts… where would I even begin? What material would I use, what stitching? What-”
>You stop when you notice Rainbow Dash looking at you with a grin stretched across half her face.
“What?”
>”Now who’s acting uncivilized?”
“One can have a civilized work crisis darling.”
>”Right.”
>You’re about to retort when Rainbow Dash’s ears perk up and she turns to the side.
>”Not much, where did you go?”
>You look around, scared for a moment that Dash is about to embarrass herself by seemingly talking to herself, but to your relief it seems the rest of the attendees have drawn their attention to the nearby stage where a number of ponies are gathering.
>”Mingling? But no pony can even see you.”
>Whatever Anonymous’ response is elicits a laugh from Rainbow, and she turns back to you as if expect a similar response only to realize you were only able to hear her half of the conversation.
>”Fillies and gentlecolts!”
>A hush comes over the crowd as the pony on stage speaks.
>”Tonight would not have been possible if not for our next speaker, so it’s my great pleasure to introduce the most eligible candidate for mayor, the stallion that will give us a brave new Canterlot; Brave Shores!”
>The sound is almost deafening as a stallion steps onto the stage, soaking up the applause as he approaches the stand.
“Brave Shores… where have I heard that name before.”
>”I know where.”
>You turn to Dash and see her standing ramrod stiff, staring daggers at the stallion on stage.
>”That’s the piece of shit me and Anon beat the tar out of after he attacked the schoolhouse.”
>For a moment you find yourself back on that day, comforting Sweetie Bell as she’s taken to Ponyville General with a splinter the size of a pencil embedded in her shoulder.
>And just like that you’re back in the present, pulled from your terrible memory just in time to see Rainbow Dash take an angry step towards the stage.
“What are you doing?”
>”Going to tell everypony what he really is. We can’t let him get away with this.”
“Look around Darling. If he’s able to run for Mayor he must be covering up the schoolhouse attack.”
>”And?”
“And if you barge on to stage and tell everypony how many do you think will believe you?”
>As if to prove your point the crowd erupts with another round of applause.
>”So what are you saying? We just let him get away with it?”
“I’m saying we need to be smart. Didn’t Spitfire say that she was endorsing him?”
>”Yea.”
“So let’s go see if she’ll introduce us.”
>You nod your head in the direction of the Wonderbolts Captain as you spot her making her way through the crowd.
>”Yea… Ok let’s do it. Anon, hang back and see if you can surprise him. He’ll be able to see you after all.”
>The two of you push your way through the crowd as best you can, and luckily by the time you make it to where Spitfire is standing Brave Shore’s speech is starting to wind down.
>”Hey Spitfire, you got a minute?”
>”Sure, what’s up?”
“Well Darling, we simply struck by the radiance of Mr Shore’s speech, and were wondering if you might introduce us.”
>Though you’re not sure in Spitfire’s preference in partners, you flutter your eyelashes for good measure, and after a moment of consideration the mare relents.
>”Sure, follow me. He’s about to wrap up.”
>As one last round of thunderous applause echoes over Canterlot Gardens, you follow Spitfire backstage.
>”Thank you everypony. Remember, a vote for Brave Shores is a vote for a brave new Canterlot!”
>Brave Shores walks off the stage, and momentarily stops in surprise when he sees Spitfire accompanied by you and Rainbow Dash.
>”Ah Spitfire, who’re your guests?”
>”Don’t you remember me, MR Shores? We met at the Ponyville schoolhouse.”
>”Ah yes, Rainbow Dash, wasn’t it? That certainly was a unique little incident.”
>”Unique? You ca-”
>Shores cuts Dash off with a wave of his hoof and continues.
>”But that’s behind me now. After all civil governance is a much more fulfilling line of work.”
“And what makes you think you can get away with what you did to those fillies?”
>”Well after Rainbow Dash knocked some sense into me the idea, as cliche as it seems, came to me in a dream.”
>”Don’t avoid the question Shores.”
>”What I’m getting at is that I’m turning over a new leaf.”
>”Too bad. We’re not letting you get away again. ANONYMOUS NOW!”
>With the sharp crack of splintering wood pieces of the stage’s support beams break off and fly towards Brave Shores, forming a barrier beside him that is rocked by an impact a moment later.
>The barrier ignites, then whips around, and a blistering cut opens up on Dash’s side as she’s knocked off her hooves.
>”I could stay and show you the power of ｢ＴＨＥ ＷＡＬＬ ＡＣＴ 2｣, but I have ponies to mingle with. Spitfire, be a dear and deal with these two will you.”
>Shores turns and walks away as Spitfire steps between him and you.
“Darling I hardly know you as well as Rainbow Dash does, but you can’t be ok with…”
>You plea dies in your throat as you realize the vacant look in her eyes, and you take a step backwards in fear.
>”You may have beaten Shores before Rainbow Dash, but my stand; ｢ＦＩＲＥＳＴＡＲＴＥＲ｣, will put an end to you.”
>If her blank look was disconcerting, than the change in her tone of voice multiplies your unease tenfold.
“Darling, now might be a good time for you and Anon to do something.”
>Rainbow Dash doesn't reply, and a nervios bead of sweat breaks across your brow as you hear hoofsteps, and turn your head to see Rainbow Dash slowly backing away, staring at Spitfire with a shocked expression.
>”No… she can’t be… I can’t.”
“Rainbow Dash snap out of it. Please.”
>Rainbow barely acknowledges you as she continues to stare and mutter to herself and in desperation you scan the room to try and determine the location of her Stand.
“Anonymous! Do something!”
>The floorboards beside you erupt, and a long spear of wood extracts itself from the ground and hurls itself towards Spitfire.
>With no visible effort the makeshift spear is battered away, becoming engulfed in flames as it is send splintering against the wall.
>Rainbow Dash yelps, and you turn to see the stonework that lead off the stage glowing a dull, angry red, and Rainbow Dash clutching her back hoof.
>”There’s no escape for you two. Give up, or be reduced to ashes.”
“No.”
>Your defiance breaks through Spitfire’s blank expression, and she cocks an eyebrow at you.
“Rainbow Dash may be reluctant to fight, for once, but if I have to step up to the plate then I will.”
>”Rarity look out!”
>You spin around, only to be blindsided by some unseen force.
>The temperature jumps from warm to boiling, but you barely notice as you’re thrown against the wall.
>”You don’t even have a stand to defend yourself with. You’ve lost this fight before it’s even begun.”

<=To=Be=Continued==

https://youtu.be/gVJYY5-s1Pw