Applebloom stood expectantly on the front porch of Sweet Apple Acres in my Equestria dreamscape.
 
She’d gotten up extra early this morning to assure she’d have plenty of time to finish all her chores and taken a bath before the sky chariot picked her up for her trip to Canterlot. Princess Luna had said this evening trip to the observatory was going to be a very private and informal event, but the filly figured her Highness didn’t want her showing up with chores stuck on her hooves and mane.
 
So Applebloom had taken extra care in washing her mane and tail, and a brand new red bow adorned her mane. Now she stood there along with Applejack waiting. The filly stared intently at the bright morning sky.
 
“Ya don’t think they got lost do ya sis? Maybe they a went ta the wrong address? Maybe they–”
 
AJ chuckled. “Oh I’m pretty sure Princess Luna can tell a couple of feather flappers how ta find our place. Be patient. They’ll be here soon enough.”
 
Soon, although it felt like forever for the filly, a sky chariot did come into view. However unlike the few that Applebloom had seen flying across the sky in a stately, serene fashion this looked like something designed by Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. Pulled by 2 mares the chariot came rocketing over the farmstead and then banking hard over farm house. All the sky chariots Applebloom had seen were rather large things able to carry 3 ponies and some luggage.
 
This chariot was tiny by comparison. 2 grownup ponies would be very cozy sitting in its cab and Princess Luna herself would barely fit. The chariot’s livery left the everypony with no doubt that this was the personal property of the Princess of the Moon.
 
A blue lacquer so dark it was almost black covered most of the chariot. It was accented silver lacquer on its wheel discs and crescent moon emblems that adorned the wings. Bringing the chariot around into the wind the two pegasi flared their wings and then started flapping furiously. A large cloud of dust swirled up as they brought the chariot to a short stop in front of the porch. As the mares folded their wings closed the Apples noticed the wings of the chariot do the same. The pegasi quickly detached themselves from their harnesses. As they did two struts that had been folded up into the body of the chariot snapped down to keep the body of the chariot from tilting forward. The two mares trotted over to the Applebloom and Applejack. Coming to a stop at the bottom of the stairs they lifted their goggles from their eyes and introduced themselves.
 
“Morning! Fine day to be flying! Allow me to introduce us. I’m 1st Lt. Cyclone Dancer and this is my wingpony Sgt. Hail Stone. We’re both from the 14th Squadron. That’s Princess Luna’s newly formed Court Air Transportation Wing.” They both looked at the filly and smiled. “You must be Applebloom. Are you ready to go?”
 
“Yes I am!” The filly was anxiously trotting in place now. AJ chuckled and tussled her little sister’s mane. “Easy there sugar cube!” She wrapped her right front leg around the filly and pulled her to her side in a hug as she looked down at the filly. “Now ya have a safe trip and have fun with the princess tanight, but remember ta behave yerself. Okay?”
 
The filly nodded her head causing her red bow to flop up and down. “I will sis!”
 
AJ released her. “Well on yer way then! Say hi ta Luna fer me!”
 
Applebloom galloping down the steps. “I will!” Coming to a stop in front of the two pegasi she grinned up at them. “Lets git flying!”
 
The mares laughed. “That’s the spirit! Come on! Let us introduce you to Black Lightning! The latest, and if may say so, the finest high performance sky chariot in all of Equestria!”
 
Even to AB’s untrained eyes the chariot was something special. It was almost delicate looking in its appearance. Sgt. Hail Stone unfolded and extended a spindly set of steps from one side of the chariot. With that accomplished she unlatched and swung the large windscreen forward and out of the way. While this was going on Lt. Cyclone Dancer proceeded to point out the many features of the chariot like some salespony.
 
“The Black Lightning is constructed using the latest in laminated wood techniques combined with the most recent breakthroughs in lightweight alloys! She can carry her highness, although snuggly, and yet weighs less than the svelte princess herself! Also unlike almost every chariot in the Royal Court’s inventory she’s fully acrobatic!”
 
Applebloom looked down at the wheels as climbed up steps into the cab. “Hey! Are those them new rubber wheel things?”
 
Sgt. Hail Stone laughed. “Yep! She’s got inflatable rubber tires and under these thin wood veneer wheel covers are lightweight steel spoked rims!” The sergeant helped Applebloom into the seat and proceeded to adjust the rather extensive seat harness for the filly.
 
“Now since this isn’t like most sky chariots, so its important that you be properly buckled up before we take off. With this accomplished the mare removed a spare pair of goggles from a pouch in the cab and passed them to the filly.
 
“Even with the windscreen if can get breezy, and you’re going to want to enjoy the view. So wears these until we’ve landed.”
 
Another quick check and the sergeant was satisfied that everything was in order. She came around and quickly got into her harness. Lt. Cyclone Dancer was already hitched in and had begun a series of pre-flight checks. Extending her right wing she watched as the chariot’s right wing unfolded from its stowed position and locked into place. Then she repeated the process with her other wing. She then extended the primary feathers on her wings and watched as chariot’s wings extended a series winglets. Twisting her wings the chariot’s wings aped her movements. Hail Stone had finished her hitching up and then went through the same process of manipulating her wings. Then the two mares quickly repeated the process together. Satisfied the the results the lieutenant called out.
 
“Controls check out.” She glanced back at Applebloom. “Passenger is secured. Now taking off. Here we go!”
 
AJ had seen sky chariots take off. Usually the pegasi would break into a gallop for a few strides while flapping their wing. Then they’d slowly rise into the air. So she was amazed when the two mares crouched down and then launched themselves into air as if the chariot wasn’t even there. As it rocketed into the sky she could hear Applebloom yelling at the top of her lungs.
 
“YEEHAW!”
 
Meanwhile in the Royal Palace.
 
The old unicorn mare levitated the sealed carafe of iced tea into the wicker basket then closed the lid. With that accomplished she looked up and for a brief second seemed to search for the mare standing right in front of her.
 
“Oh dearie. It’s so nice to see getting out and about again. We’ve missed you here in the Palace Cafeteria. So where are you going today?”
 
Last Thing opened and confirmed her order of drink and refreshments. “Not far.” She said with a rather tired voice. “The hospital staff won’t let me leave the palace grounds. I’m just going to be enjoying the afternoon in the garden.”
 
The older mare smiled. “Well enjoy your afternoon dearie!” Last Thing nodded her head and levitated wicker basket into the air. Then she walked away. Within a couple of strides she seemed to just vanish from the cafeteria worker’s sight.
 
To be continued.