//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: Faire // Story: Yu-Gi-Oh! Equus X Zexal // by moviemaster8510 //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle eagerly gave the book that she had to Shining Armor and Cadance, allowing them to see it. Twilight flipped to the page in the book that she found at the library. Alex and the other humans (along with Astral and Orbital) leaned in too. “Ah,” exclaimed Twilight, “here we go! The Crystal Faire. According to this book, it was established by their first queen and became their most important tradition. The fair was held every year to… ‘renew the spirit of love and unity in the empire so they could protect it from harm.’ My friends and I could put it together. Everything we need to know is in the book!” “That sounds pretty promising,” said Cadance before she yawned, signaling the return of her fatigue. Twilight, concerned for her sister-in-law’s well being, took the book back with her. “We’ll get started right away!” stated Twilight before walking back towards the exit. “Come on, guys. We’ve got a Crystal Faire to put together!” Twilight and her friends left the room to discuss their plans. Yuma was the last to leave, giving a look to Shining Armor and Cadance before he followed the rest of his friends. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Twilight and her friends entered a room similar to the throne room, only there was no throne; just a blue, wooden table on top of a red rug. Each of Twilight’s Equestrian friends stood around the table while Alex and the others stood close behind them in various spots. Twilight placed the book on the table. “So,” said Applejack, “what’s the game plan?” “Listen, guys,” said Twilight, “I know that when we came back, Cadance felt much better, and once again, I thank you Yuma…” “Ah,” sighed Yuma, “it was nothing.” “Anyways, Cadance still isn’t going to be able to protect the empire by herself forever. But we need to work together if we hope to get this right.” “Alright,” said Kite. “Then what does this Crystal Faire comprise of? What do we need to get done?” “Let’s see,” answered Twilight, flipping through the book. “Oh. Rainbow Dash, you’ll like this one. ‘Always up for sport, the crystal ponies would watch as jousters battled with long lances in shining, silver armor.” “Yep,” agreed Rainbow Dash, “I’m sold!” “Rainbow Dash, Shark, Daring Do, I’d like you to help set this up.” “Okay,” confirmed Daring Do. “Whatever,” spoke Shark. “Rarity, this will definitely be in your department. ‘The Crystal Faire was graced with a majestic flag that blew in the wind.' I’ll let you have this book temporarily so you can see the design for yourself.” “But of course!” exclaimed Rarity. “If it involves sewing, then I’ll gladly do it!” “Excellent. Applejack, Orbital, ‘On the northern edge of the empire, there are groves of bushes that grow crystal berries, with which the crystal ponies would make various pastries and sweets.'” “Count me in!” exclaimed Applejack. “‘Along with the crystal berry bushes,’” dictated Twilight again, “‘there are the crystal rice paddies and crystal corn fields located just north of the bushes.'” “Rice paddies?” asked Tori. “Twilight, would you mind if I went with Applejack and Orbital?” “Of course, Tori. I’m certain Applejack will be glad to have you with her.” “Darn tootin’ I would!” agreed Applejack. “Excellent,” said Twilight before returning to the book. “'In the hills of the eastern plains, one would find the flocks of ewes that were used for the petting zoo.'” “Ewes?!?” exclaimed Fluttershy, shocking everyone with her uncharacteristically loud voice. “Oh! Oh! I want to do that!” “Meh,” joked Tom, “I think Kite and Hart should do that job.” Fluttershy rushed to Tom and angrily laid her hooves on him. “No! I’m going to get the ewes! Don’t you DARE ruin this for me!” “That’s a great idea, Tom!” said Twilight, causing Fluttershy to droop sadly. “What?” “Kite and Hart can come with and help. Pinkie, you can help too, right?” “Count me in like 1, 2, 3!” agreed Pinkie Pie. “Oh,” said Fluttershy in her normal voice, “that’s okay then.” Fluttershy walked back to her spot in the table, leaving Tom breathless. “Jesus, Fluttershy,” he gasped. “How about this?” questioned Twilight. “'Crystal ponies loved to play the flugelhorn, with which they performed various songs.'” “Wait!” shouted Pinkie Pie. “I wanna do that instead!” “Settle down Pinkie Pie, I’m sure there will be plenty of time to find a flugelhorn. Right now, I need you to help Fluttershy, Kite, and Hart with the gathering of the ewes.” “Alrighty, Twilighty!” she giggled. “You can count on me, Twilight,” Fluttershy responded, patting her on the back. “Alex, Yuma, Tom,” said Twilight. “I want you to gather the things to put up tents and stands with me. By the time we’re done, the rest of our friends will be done with our tasks and will be able to set them up.” “Alright,” said Alex. “You can count on us,” said Yuma. “Got it,” answered Tom. “What about me?” asked Spike. “You and I are going to manage everything as its being put together,” explained Twilight, “alright?” “Okay. That sounds easy enough.” “Alright, guys,” concluded Twilight. “You know what to do. Move out!” Everyone went off to complete their projects, Rarity taking the book with her so she could make the flag. Twilight, Alex, and Yuma decided to enter back into the throne room where Cadance and Shining Armor still were. “What’s up?” asked Shining Armor. “Do you know where we could find tents and poles?” asked Alex. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Shark, Tom, and Rainbow Dash entered a room inside the castle. Rainbow Dash and Tom were amazed at the contents inside while Shark was only mildly intrigued. Inside the room, the walls were lined with blue and khaki banners, a blue and magenta lance crossed together hanging from each one. In the middle of the room, in between two cyan crystal pillars, was a large, grey shield with the silhouette of a unicorn’s head emblazoned on it. The room was also filled with mannequins, each one wearing silver armor, silver helmets with space for the mane, as well as silver boots designed for a pony’s hooves. “Wow!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash, flying around the room, examining its contents. “This is so cool!" “Careful with this stuff,” said Daring Do after examining the lances on the walls. “You don’t want to get hurt now.” “Ha! Says the pony who fled a temple of molten lava!” “Hm. Touche.” “Oy!” yelled Shark at the two. “This is no time to observe. We need to get this fair set up by sundown.” Daring Do was shocked at Shark’s demand, staring at him as he grabbed several lances off the banners. “Yeesh,” exclaimed Daring Do. “What’s his beef?” “I dunno,” said Rainbow Dash with a hint of scorn in her voice, “maybe it’s the way you went off at him earlier today.” “He was scaring everypony back there!” “He was only trying to help!” “You two!” shouted Shark. “Quit your bickering and pick up those mannequins!” Rainbow Dash and Daring Do took a wide-eyed glance at each other. They then wordlessly carried two of the armored mannequins out of the room and followed Shark. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Upon walking into the sewing room, Rarity couldn’t contain her joy. Inside was a large shelf of many fabrics of different colors and styles. Next to it, a table with several spools of thread and a red sowing machine was available. “This is going to be wonderful!” she chirped, clapping her front hooves together. Grabbing a roll of purple fabric, the main color of the flag as shown on the book, she levitated a pair of scissors to it, cutting the fabric and beginning her work. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Applejack was picking berries by the bushes as Twilight’s tome instructed. On her back, she carried an arched piece of wood with a basket on both ends, each of which were filled with pink, blue, purple, and lavender colored berries. With every ten or so berries that she picked, Applejack couldn’t help but munch one or two as she worked. Tori was in the rice paddies, her shoes and socks taken off by the water’s edge. She continued to pick several crops from the shallow waters and place them inside a basket that hung by a piece of wood that hung from her shoulder. “Hm,” said Orbital, holding a single berry in its fingers, “firm, resistant to bruising…” Orbital squeezed the berry too hard, squirting juice all over its body, causing it to shriek. “Eh, very juicy…” “Orbital!” called Applejack. “I don’t want to see you lollygaggin’. I know you’re a useful little critter, so why don’t you help me pick these crystal berries, ya hear?” “Understood!” Orbital’s wire extensions came from its “hands,” three of them grabbing a discarded basket each. With his other fingers, he ran them through an unoccupied bush, causing many berries to fly off from the bushes and land in each of the baskets. Applejack couldn’t help but watch in amazement as Orbital left the bush completely barren of berries in under fifteen seconds, filling each of his baskets. “Here you go!” said the robot, placing the three baskets at Applejack’s hooves. “Oh my stars,” she sighed. “Uh, good work, Orbital. Say, why don’t you go over and help Tori out. I think she could use your help. “Understood!” Orbital grabbed some more baskets and rushed over to the paddies where Tori was. As Orbital skated across the water where Tori was, picking up an abundance of rice along the way, he splashed Tori, getting her irate. “Eh,” mumbled Orbital, “sorry Tori. I didn’t mean to get you wet.” Tori, sighed and smiled. “No problem,” she said. “It’s not like I wasn’t going to get wet or dirty anyways right?” “Yeah! Right!” “Keep doing what you’re doing, just not around me, alright?” “Understood!” Orbital raced away again, plucking crops off the ground as they began to mound up in his baskets. Tori smiled at his cheerful endeavors. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Kite ran around the fields, chasing a ewe with light-blue wool. The young sheep didn’t seem to mind, playfully bounding away like a rabbit as Kite sprinted after it. Hart watched Kite’s fruitless endeavors as he was petting a purple-furred ewe that stood right next to him, laughing all the while. Other sheep in the area, whose coats ranged in colors like grey, seafoam-green, and pink, scooted away to make way for Kite and the lamb he was chasing. Kite made a desperate dive for the ewe only for it to jackknife to the left, escaping Kite’s grasp as he fell stomach first onto the grass. Kite rolled over onto his back, defeated and humiliated. About half a dozen ewes gathered around Kite, happily bouncing up and down and bleating, as if they were begging to be played with as well. Kite sat up, watching as the sheep leaped in joy. A pink-coated ewe bounced onto Kite’s lap, staring at him with shiny pink eyes and an adorable smile. Kite, understanding the gesture, picked the ewe up by its armpits like he would a cat, stood himself up, and held it with his left arm as he pet its wool with his right hand. “Yay!” cheered Hart. “Brother caught one!” “Yeah,” giggled Kite, looking at the ewe as it nuzzled into his chest, “I guess I did.” Kite then noticed the crowd of sheep running off and towards the Crystal Empire. He then saw as Pinkie Pie bounded past him as she giggled, herding the sheep off in her own unique way. Fluttershy then happily pranced towards the kingdom as well, a small line of ewes following her like they would a shepherd. Kite smiled at the two of them as they completed their task. “Come on,” said Kite, “we got what we came for. Let’s go.” “Coming, brother!” answered Hart. Kite began to walk towards the empire with his ewe in his arm, followed by Hart, whose ewe pranced alongside him. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Twilight and Spike stood in the middle of the southbound road about fifty yards from the palace. She, with Spike’s assistance, scouted the area. Spike had a long roll of parchment and quill, keeping everything in order. “And over here is where we’ll have the food,” stated Twilight, pointing to the side of the road to her left. “Check,” confirmed Spike, checking the food off the paper. “Over there is where we’ll have the crafts, valuables, and other trinkets” she said, pointing to her right. “Uh-huh.” “Both sides further down the road will house the petting zoo and games.” “Okay.” "The next road east has the jousting area on the eastern side, so we’ll put more food and drink stands there.” “Good thinking.” "And further up the road, back to the palace,” finished Twilight, "we’ll throw in more games and crafts.” “Sounds good to me!” The creaking of a wooden cart sounded behind Twilight, casing both her and Spike to turn towards the noise. Alex and Tom pulled a train of several wooden carts with their duel runners, each filled with large, colorful, carnival-like tents and metal rods to hold them up. Yuma rode on the side of the cart, sitting on its edge. Astral, as usual, floated just next to Yuma. “This is great!” exclaimed Twilight, unloading the contents of the carts onto the ground. “This should be enough to fill this street!” “Whatever we can do to help!” said Yuma, hopping off the cart as he walked to Twilight. Alex and Tom dismounted their duel runners and headed towards her as well. “As much as I’d love to help,” said Astral. “I’m afraid I’m incapable of handling any kind of material.” Astral tried to push Yuma’s back, only for his hand to phase through Yuma’s chest, freaking the latter out. “I see,” answered Twilight. “I appreciate your concern, though.” “Do you mind helping us put these together, Twilight?” asked Alex. “No problem. In fact, please go and get more tents and poles. I think we’ll only need one more load and we’ll be set.” “Great,” said Tom. “Carrying those tents up from the cellar is a pain in the ass.” “Cellar?” asked Twilight. “Yeah. That’s where Shining Armor said the tents and poles were. That must be where the crystal ponies kept them before and after every faire.” “I see. Well, keep up the good job guys. I really appreciate it.” “Thanks, Twi,” said Alex. Alex, Tom and Yuma rode back to the palace as Twilight used her magic to set up the tents that Alex and his friends brought over one by one. Upon reaching the underside of the palace, Alex, Tom, and Yuma, hopped off their vehicles/cart and entered a doorway at one of the other legs of the castle. The stairway that greeted their entrance did not go up, but downwards, lit only by the torches that lined the spiral stairs. About two stories downwards was a room that was about a quarter filled with folded tents and poles for Alex and his friends to grab. As they worked, Alex decided to have some friendly talk with Yuma. “Yuma,” said Alex. “Huh?” questioned Yuma. “What’s up?” “I never got to ask you. What’s life in that Heartland City of yours like?” “You know, I could just show you some pictures.” Yuma pulled out his folded D-Pad tablet, and flipped through it until he found some pictures of Heartland. “What’s going on?" asked Tom, peering over Alex and Yuma’s shoulders. Alex and Tom were highly impressed over how colorful and futuristic it was, even for Japan. “Dude,” exclaimed Tom, “is this where you live?” “Sure is,” said Yuma. Yuma continued to slide through pictures until he stopped at a picture of Yuma with what Alex could see were his friends crowded around him. Yuma's smile faded, being replaced by a very small frown as he looked at each one of them. “You miss them, don’t you?” asked Alex. “Yeah,” answered Yuma with a hint of melancholy. Yuma glanced at Alex, who looked sympathetically at him, causing Yuma to hide his soft spot in a huff. “I mean,” excused Yuma, “not that I don’t like you guys or nothing, it’s just that my friends on Earth are probably worrying about me, and… they think I’m gone…” “Well, you’re not!” said Tom. “You’re safe and sound with us, and we’re going to get you home; we promise you.” Yuma smiled at Tom’s reassuring words. “Sure is a colorful set of friends that you have,” said Alex. “Yeah,” said Yuma, his enthusiasm returned. “This is my friend Bronk.” Yuma pointed to a boy about Yuma’s age. He was morbidly obese, his orange shirt with a red demon face logo unable to contain his massive gut. His blue shorts were held by black suspenders with gold buttons. He wore a pair of bracelets on each wrist that matched the design of his overalls. He wore black-and-white, horizontally-striped socks and yellow shoes that resembled ones that Mickey Mouse would wear. His black hair spread out and up about six inches on both sides of the back of his head like wings. He wore a dark-orange baseball cap backwards, a scythe-shaped end of green hair jutting from the hole at the front of the hat. “I’d hate to be stuck paying that guy’s restaurant bill,” said Tom. “He may look pretty big and scary,” explained Yuma, “but he’s a really cool guy. Now, you might not believe this, but I was a terrible duelist when I was younger, and he used to always beat me in duels when we were kids. However, he was really impressed with my enthusiasm and how I never wanted to give up, no matter how many times I lost. We have been friends ever since.” “How about the munchkin on the bottom?” Tom pointed to a small-looking boy leaping into frame. He wore an odd blue suit with a yellow outline, yellow pockets, yellow buttons, yellow sleeves, and green lining. Underneath it was a light pink blouse that stuck out from the bottom and sleeves of the coat. Over all of that, he wore a large, red bow on his collar. He wore a pair of matching blue shorts that were widened at the thighs with green flaps and green hems. His socks were striped like Bronk’s, but they were colored in dark and light shades of blue. On his feet, he wore brown slip-on shoes with large khaki soles like platforms. On his head, he wore a small, turquoise bowler hat with a black band that was adorned with a yellow shooting star on the front with a cyan and red striped tail. His round, black eyes were covered in green, circular-rimmed glasses. His hair was also brown with a swirl at his forehead with two spikes jutting from the sides like a devil’s. “That’s Flip,” explained Yuma. “He was a dirty trickster before I met him.” “Did you try making him say his name backwards?” asked Tom. “Huh? What happens then?” “Uh, duh. He’d be sent back to the 5th dimension.” Yuma’s mouth dropped, utterly confused by Tom’s logic. “Hm. Equestrian Observation #3:” mused Astral. “If someone makes another person say their name backwards, they are able to shunt them to a fifth dimension.” “No,” assured Alex, almost as explaining it to a small child, “there’s a fictional comic book villain on our world who gets sent to the fifth dimension whenever he’s tricked into saying his name backwards. Again, completely fictional.” “Forgive me for being so blunt, but being in this world of unicorns, pegasi, and magic has made me question where fiction ends and non-fiction begins.” “True that. Either way, just ignore it. Tom just likes to be silly.” “I see. Equestrian observation #4: Tom likes to be silly.” “Anyways,” said Yuma, continuing Flip’s story, “Flip was swindled by a group of bullies into giving them his deck as a child, so he decided to become a trickster and steal other people’s cards in return. He also almost did that with me and the Numbers, but I was still able to beat him. After I learned about his story and how he really just wanted some true friends, I forgave him and let him join our team.” “What about Catwoman over here?” asked Tom, pointing to the only girl in the group other than Tori. She wore a black Gothic Lolita dress that was white on the breast with white hemming at the bottom and a white cat-like tail protruding through the back. On both of her biceps, she wore two belt-like bands. She also wore a bell tied around her collar. On her hands, she wore black gloves that went up to the middle of her forearm that had red, claw-like fingernails on the fingers. She wore knee-high black-and-white striped socks underneath a pair of black slip-on shoes. Over her green eyes, she wore a pair of large, black, square-framed glasses. Her long, gray hair was held by two clips on both sides of the top of her head, giving her the look of having cat ears. She also had a widow’s peak that reached the bridge of her nose with a pinkish tip. “That’s Cathy,” said Yuma. “She used to be really shy, but she seemed to take a liking to me and joined the group.” “She sounds like someone that Fluttershy would absolutely love,” said Alex. “She also seems to be able to control cats, like how she used them to help me find my heart pieces during the World Duel Carnival.” “Yep,” said Tom. “They’d be made for each other.” “What about him?” asked Alex, pointing at a skinnier boy. The boy referenced wore what appeared to be a school uniform, which consisted of a white dress shirt with sleeves and a collar all outlined red. He also wore a red tie with a white, triangular clip just below the knot. He also wore formal, navy-blue pants held together by a grey belt. On his feet, he wore brown, slip-on dress shoes over a pair of white socks. On his right wrist, he wore a wide, grey wristband with a circular, cyan gem in the center. Along with his jade-green eyes, his head was adorned with a wide, greenish-blue bowl cut, minus the part in the center were an arch-shaped piece of hair jutted out from it. “That’s Caswell,” answered Yuma. “He’s the class representative of our class at school. After he helped us stop a our teacher, who was possessed by a Numbers, from almost giving the entire city a computer virus, he joined Bronk and Tori as a friend of mine.” Alex spoke, “What about Flip and Cat–” “They came on after,” interrupted Astral. “Ah, cool.” “There’s something wrong with the picture,” said Tom, pointing at a blue haze behind Yuma and Tori. “That’s Astral,” explained Yuma. “It seems the best way normal people can see him is as a glare through these photographs.” “Nah, man, that’s got to be something wrong with the camera.” “So anyways,” said Alex, desperate for a change in topic. “It seems you’ve got some great friends. Any family?” “My sister and my grandmother,” said Yuma, regressing slowly into his melancholy state. “I bet they’re worried sick.” “Sister and grandma? What about a mom or a dad?” “Both of them are gone.” “Huh? Oh, jeez man. I’m so sorry.” “Don’t be. I’m sure my dad would hate to see me moping over them after all this time.” “Do you mind if I asked how?” “How what? How they died?” “…Well, yeah.” “My mom passed away from some illness after my dad disappeared.” “Wait,” said Tom, “disappeared? I thought you said they died.” “I don’t remember that,” said Yuma. “He’s right,” said Alex, vouching for Yuma, “he didn’t.” “Anyways,” said Tom, “what do you mean that your dad disappeared?” “Did Kite or Shark tell you the story about Dr. Faker and Vetrix?” asked Yuma. “Shark did,” answered Alex. “Well, the other man that Dr. Faker sacrificed was my dad. But like how Vetrix returned to Earth in a different form, my dad didn’t stay in the Barian World for very long either.” “Hm?” “After I had dueled Trey and Quattro after they had kidnapped Hart, their brother, Quinton, said that my father was still alive.” Alex was visibly confused, but decided to keep listening, certain that a clarification would be made. “The day after, Trey wanted to duel me one-on-one, hoping that he could make his family happier by doing so. During the duel, his crest grew–” “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” said Alex. “What’s this crest?” “Apparently,” explained Astral, “the Barian powers that were given to Vetrix and his sons were stored in these crests.” “Oh, okay then. Please, continue.” “Anyways,” resumed Yuma, “Trey’s crest began to take control of him, and with his powers, he made me forget the kattobing that I learned from my dad. I lost the will to duel at that moment, but I discovered that my dad was with me the whole time; his spirit lives in my key,” he said, gripping his pendant. “He allowed me to remember all that he taught me so I could defeat Trey and free him from Barian’s curse.” “Well that’s… odd,” said Tom. “I have to agree with Tom,” said Alex. “That does sound strange.” “That’s what happened,” was all Yuma had to retort. “Well, how about you, Alex? Got any family?” “I consider Tom and Carolyn my family. Of course, you haven’t met Sarah and Thomas, but they’re my family too.” “Huh? I thought you were just staying over at their house or something. I mean, you don’t have the same last name.” “I know. They ‘adopted’ me, for lack of a better turn, since my own parents died.” “You… don’t have parents either?” “Nope.” “How did that happen?” “Yuma,” said Tom, “you don’t need to ask–” “No,” objected Alex, “He can know. My dad and mom were out driving and a flat tire caused dad to swerve into the oncoming lane, where they collided head-on with a truck.” “Oh… I’m sorry.” “You know what? Don’t be. Like you said, they’d probably hate to see me moping about it after all these years. After all, my dad was a great man, and I’d be damned if I’m not going to live up to how he raised me.” “Hm,” said Yuma, his smile returning. “That’s a great attitude to have. My dad would agree with you. Plus, I’m sure he’d go nuts over this place: crystal empires, talking ponies…” “What?” asked Tom. “Was he like some huge adventurer or something?” “Yeah,” said Yuma. “I should tell you about this trip he took me on–” “Guys!” shouted Twilight’s voice from the top of the spiral stairs. “What’s taking so long? I’ve already got the first round of tents set up.” “Oops,” whispered Tom, trying to hide his giggles alongside Alex and Yuma. “We’re coming, Twi!” called Alex. “Just give us a second.” As Tom, Alex, and Yuma went to get more tents and poles, snickering at their lapse in responsibility, Astral observed them, smiling as well. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Shark, Daring Do, and Rainbow Dash placed the last lances and armored mannequins along the stands. “I think that takes care of that,” said Shark, leaning against the stands while crossing his arms. “Great,” said Rainbow Dash. “Twilight says we just have to help decorate the place and we’ll be good! Come on, Shark!” Rainbow Dah began pulling Shark’s arm, who let Rainbow Dash drag him from his resting spot. Daring Do giggled as Shark willingly, yet seemingly annoyed, let Rainbow Dash have her way with him. Daring Do followed close by to get instructions as well. _________________________________________________________________________________________ “That flag is beautiful, Rarity,” complimented Twilight. Rarity, with her magic, held up a purple flag. In the center was a ring with the snowflake pattern from the floor of the underneath of the palace. There were also several light-blue swirling designs on it, placed symmetrically on both sides of the snowflake. “Isn’t it?” said Rarity. “I’d like to place it where all of the empire can see it.” “Okay. I’ll get Rainbow Dash to do that when she gets here. Oh, speak of the devil.” Rainbow Dash, Shark, and Daring Do came over to await instructions from Twilight. “Rainbow Dash,” ordered Twilight. “Take this flag and put it in the highest spot in the empire other than the palace where everypony can see it. Then, I need you to dress up the rest of the faire with these banners.” Twilight motioned to a mound of tangled string with triangular flags attached to them. “Got it,” said Rainbow Dash, flying up with Rarity’s flag in hoof. “Daring Do, Shark, I need you to lay out these banners nice and neat for Rainbow Dash to hang on the tents once she’s–” “Done!” confirmed Rainbow Dash. Twilight looked up to see the empire’s flag hanging from the mast of a tall, crystal building. “Alrighty then,” said Twilight. “All of you, can you get these banners straightened out so Rainbow Dash can hang them up?” “Got it, chief!” complied Rainbow Dash. “Gladly,” answered Daring Do. “Okay,” spoke Shark. The three of them walked towards the mound, and began untangling the banners. Meanwhile, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Tori, and Applejack came by. Despite smiling, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Tori struggled to hold the mass of baskets that held corn, berries, and rice. Orbital, using its wire fingers, carried several baskets with ease. “Pinkie Pie,” scolded Twilight, “I thought I told you to help Kite and Fluttershy with the ewes.” “I did,” defended Pinkie Pie, “but Fluttershy said she’d handle it, so I gave my ewes to her and decided to help Applejack and her friends carry the food for them. Aren’t I a good friend?” Twilight, ignoring her exuberance, looked at all the crops that they had gathered. “Wow! Did you guys clear the whole field?” “Orbital did a dandy job today,” vouched Applejack. “You should have seen the way he plucked the berries off them bushes. It was the bee’s knees.” “Well then, thank you, Orbital!” “It was my pleasure,” said Orbital, looking towards Applejack. “It certainly helps to have such a nice pony to work with.” “Aw, shucks,” spoke Applejack, blushing. “Good job everyone,” said Twilight. “Now, I need you to place all of that in the palace kitchen. Shining Armor and Cadance will instruct you there. Then, tomorrow morning, I need anyone with experience in cooking making treats for the crystal ponies.” “I’m in,” said Applejack. “Me too,” spoke Tori. “Me three!” chirped Pinkie Pie. “Great!” exclaimed Twilight. “Pinkie Pie, once you take care of your baskets, I need you to learn the flugelhorn and the Crystal Empire anthem. There has to be a flugelhorn somewhere in the castle, and the sheet music is in the sewing room where Rarity was.” “I can show you, sweetie,” said Rarity. “Then that’s settled. You five, to the kitchen. Rarity, help Pinkie Pie when she’s done.” Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Tori, and Orbital 7 went back to the palace to store their food. Not long after, a large flock of colorful ewes came prancing by, Fluttershy flying over and leading the heard over to Twilight. “Great job, Fluttershy,” said Twilight. “I knew you’d be right for the job. The pen is back there.” Fluttershy smiled contently and led her flock to the petting zoo. Kite and Hart were close behind with their sheep. “You saw where Fluttershy went, right guys?” “Yes?” said Kite. “Follow her.” Kite and Hart followed her instructions, taking their ewes to the zoo. A rev of engines caused Twilight to turn around, smiling upon seeing Alex and Tom pulling the last train of tents and poles over to her. Alex and Yuma hopped off, awaiting further orders from Twilight. “Good job, guys,” she said, levitating a large amount of tents and poles with her magic. “Now we can finally finish this.” _________________________________________________________________________________________ It was becoming late afternoon as the orange glow of the sun was just starting to hide itself under the horizon. Rainbow Dash finished putting the last banners on top of the tents and stands and connected them with other tents and stands. With that finally finished, Rainbow Dash swooped down with each of the ponies, humans, alien, dragon, and robot so they could all look at the fruits of their labor. “It looks amazing!” exclaimed Twilight. “I don’t know how I could have done this without you.” “We just gotta make the food and the crafts,” said Applejack, “and we’ll be ready to celebrate.” “Sounds good,” said Yuma. As Twilight and all of her friends continued to observe their successful work, a ghastly noise sounded behind them. It sounded like someone trying to play a trumpet very badly. Everyone turned behind to see Pinkie Pie, her cheeks puffed as she blew into a glass-like horn instrument with two bells coming out of a single pipe. “I learned the anthem like you asked!” she said. “Do you like it?” “Pinkie,” said Kite, trying to sound as calm as possible as he twisted his pinkie inside his ear, “perhaps you should try and learn to play that instrument before you play that instrument.” “Thanks,” chirped Pinkie Pie. “I’m always open to criticism.” “Sure.” Everyone decided to walk back inside the palace to retire for the day. Twilight walked up to Rarity. “Rarity,” she told her, “I want you to have the book tonight. That way, you can learn to construct the crafts for tomorrow.” “I’ll do the best I can,” said Rarity. Meanwhile, Daring Do approached Rainbow Dash and Shark. “Hey,” she told them, getting their attention. “I just wanted to tell you both that you really did a good job today.” “You mean it?” asked Rainbow Dash, getting excited that her idol was praising her. “Just don’t have a fan freakout on me, okay?” “Just this once? Please?” Daring Do sighed. “Just this once.” Rainbow Dash flew high into the air, and threw her hooves up. “Yes!” she cried. “Daring Do likes me! This is the coolest!” Yuma, feeling energized by Rainbow’s happiness, began to get excited as well. “Tomorrow,” he exclaimed, “we’re going to save the Crystal Empire!” Yuma then leapt into the air. “Kattobingu-da, ore!”