Radiant had a falling out with Celestia sometime ago. You see Radiant hates it when a certain being is over glorified into a status of being something of an "Immortal". With that she believes Celestia thinks of her self as one, a "god". Though this isn't true, things can confuse and get misconstrued, like the last time they have met. Celestia called Raidiant and her father over for dinner to discuss certain matters of Radiant being under the guidance of Celestia's school.
Radiant refused telling her she is fine learning under the spirits. Now Celestia has seen great potential in her, and any pony given the chance to be taught under her will take it with greed. When Celestia got her response she was no short of surprise, so she tried to convince her to reconsider. Radiant told her no once more, saying that the spirits give her the knowledge she needs. Again the princess was confused, she have never heard of any spirits in her many years. Torch spoke of them, but she thought he was joking.
So came the words out of her mouth that would begin the silent hatred "But wouldn't you think learning magic is a more appropriate and realistic course than silly spirits?"
That's what made Radiant spin her head twice! She stared her down, jaw dropped. When she finally found her voice she lashed "SILLY SPIRITS! ARE YOU STUPID!?" She growled at her in anger baring her teeth "WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES MAGIC FOR US POSSIBLE? WHAT DO YOU THINK GAVE US THIS ABILITY?" She turned away walking towards the door "FOR A PRINCESS ALICORN YOU SURE ARE IGNORANT!" Then she slammed the door leaving to her cart.
~***~
"You know you can stand to at least be a little happy, or pretend to be." Said Torch Light peering at her from the rear view mirror. He levitated a canteen of water up to his lips, drinking the sweet cool liquid. The hymn of magic emanated from the engine of the car as it sped down the dirt road, closing distance to the castle.
Radiant huffed in irritation crossing her hooves "How could I even?" She rolled onto her back and covered her face with a rag "That horse believes too highly in her social standing."
Torch Light laughed lightheartedly "What do you expect from an exceptionally powerful being?" He coughed a bit and cleared his throat "She's been alive for over a thousand years, so I don't see why she wouldn't think so. And you know what they say about things that live longer, they think like a child longer." The road continues to bump the car. In the distance Sweet Apple Acres scrolls by, the delicious sent of apples wafted their way, taunting them with wanting hunger.
Their stomachs growling, mocking them. Torch sighs turning left down the road to Ponyville "We'll pick up some snacks." He said parking the car next to the sign "We'll walk the rest of the way. The town's ponies might get a little too curious and waste our time. Especially Celestia's student Twilight."
Radiant stopped midway out the vehicle, staring at her father with reluctance "She has personally taught this student?"
Her father coughed again chuckling "Why yes she does! Her star disciple even!" He laughed getting out of the car "A smart cookie I would say so myself! Though she does rely on technicality rather than common sense." He frowns beckoning his daughter to follow to which she gives in.
"So I'm guessing she is just like her then?" She asked, suspecting it to be true.
Torch shook his head "Not at all, but she tries too much to be like so. I think she wants Celestia to be proud of her, even though she's about as proud as a father is of a son who finally achieved the means to be a stallion." The town was vary calm in this time of day as usual. Ponies trotted by saying hello, conversing with their neighbors of their day. Radiant smiled to the tranquility of this town, her father breathed in deeply, taking in the air "I love this place! Such adventures start here." He spies a vending cart, trotting merrily towards it.
Upon approaching, the vending pony behind it looked up and greeted them with a smile. She spoke with a country drawl happy and mild "Well howdy there! What can I get fer ya'll?" She asked, swiping a hoof over the assortments of food.
Torch returned her smile and gazed over the cart. He turned to his daughter and asked what she wanted. Radiant cocked her head Quizzically looking between the vendor and her food "Are they fresh?" She asks decadently.
The mare chuckled taking a familiar and slightly less professional stance "Ya'll don't have ta worry bout that." She confirmed, drawing their attention to the food "All of this was made just today. My family and I worked vary hard to heard these apples and make them into what you see now!"
The mare folded her forelegs , proud of her hard work. Radiant was skeptical, but she doesn't seem to be lying. She took a moment studying her, to which she saw a faint golden glow surrounding her "I'll have two apple fritters." She finally said, nodding her content.
`Torch nodded for the same. The mare packed the items and handed him the bag, receiving a good sum of bits in return, causing her jaw to drop in shock "B-but mister!" She stammered "This is way over the actual price!" The cow mare said, trying to return the rightful amount.
Torch stopped her "Please just take it. I want you to have this." He grinned and turned to his daughter "Honey could you give us a moment? I need to speak with her privately."
Radiant nodded and trotted over to a bench, observing the ponies and her surroundings. Torch Light returned to her," May I ask your name?"
"Names Apple Jack!" She replied happily.
"Nicely met. I'm Torch Light." He tilted his head in greetings, "Apple Jack do you know Twilight Sparkle?" He asked with high hopes "She should have moved here about a year ago."
Apple Jack's eyes lit up ,grinning proudly "Well sure ah do! She's a good friend of mine!"
Torch Light sighed with relief "Could you tell her to come to the castle as soon as possible? The princess might need her soon."
Noticing the urgency in his voice Apple Jack nodded, putting a hoof to her chest "Y'all can count on me! Have a good 'one!"
"Thanks and you too!" He waved off, approaching his child "We can leave now." He said floating a fritter over.
She takes the treat biting into it. The flaky sweet out side flared her taste buds, the sent of apples lofting into her senses. Taking her to a whole other world, floating in the air above miles and miles of apple trees. Reality snaps back hard as she gasps looking between the fritter and her father.
"Radiance?" The father questioned in worry.
"F-father!?" Her voice was panicked
"Yes?"
She stood stuffing her face moaning in delight "This is amazing!" Her voice muffled by the food "I feel like I am in an orchard, biting into a freshly ripened apple!"
"Hehe, come on let's get going."
~***~
On there way to the car Radiant smiled in wonder "The mare bared the canary. The spirit of strength and honesty... They looked so happy flying around her."
"Yea I noticed a nice glow about her. The spirit must favor her if I am able to see it that well."
"That it does father. The spirit has nested itself. She wears them like her favorite cloak." She sighed dreamily "Not just her, but everyone had a glow around them, even that grumpy donkey!"
"Well I'll be damned! Never thought I'd hear that!"
They entered the car, the engine revved and motored around and down the road, back on their objective. Torch gazed up to the castle wondering what Celestia might do about this... Radiance flopped to her side sighing "I wonder how Tutor and Vormund are doing."
"..." It took him a while to register what she had said, being preoccupied with the road "I'm sure they are fine. They're one of the best...." He hoped he was right.
~***~
'You know what's worse than to die in battle? Getting captured in battle!' That's what Tutor thought as he was chained up and drugged onto the airship. Tutor was an exceptional fighter, with a powerful friend to back him up, but alas even with Vormund's immortal like capabilities they still couldn't beat the goblin horde.
The captors grinned and snickered, talking about the fun they had, how many kills they have gotten, and all the houses they looted. This talk made Tutor grind his teeth in anger. He hated the ruthless and grossly pleasured tone they used. Looking over he saw a swirling ball of water contained in a thick glass tank. He cursed to himself, rage flowing through him. Vormund was deactivated so there is no way he can escape as of now.
A spirited young goblin set his eyes upon Tutor forming a coy grin across his face. He sped up to the goblin dragging him, motioning him to stop. The young arrogant creature knelt beside the pony unsheathing his dagger and pressed just beneath his snout "Are you afraid? Is that why you have those eyes of burning anger?" He chuckled expecting the colt to cry.
Absolutely appalled Tutor stared at him, his face contorting to a look of disgust. He couldn't believe the words that came out of his mouth "Afraid." Are you kidding? Fear is an emotion nonexistent with in his soul at this moment. He fears for the safety of others, but when it comes to him, he just gets pissed.
"Are... Are you making fun of me?" He said trying to stand, but the chains held him down "I am so not taking your crap! You think I'm afraid? No way in all levels of Hades I could be of someone so cheesy! In fact I can smell it! Oh wait that's just you!" Tutor snorted and hawked a big fat one right in the shocked goblin's face.
The other goblins chortled and laughed at the embarrassing display of intimidation, making the antagonist red with rage "Shut yer damned traps!" Snapping at them growling to obey. Once the others quiet down he turned back the colt raising his dagger ready to kill " I hope this is SLOW!" He yelled plunging the blade deep into his chest.
"AAAAHHHHHH!" Tutor screamed as a pale glow of rainbow colored blood flowed from the stab. He flailed his hooves in and attempt to free himself in hopes to murder the bastard.
"Oh?" The attacker said "I find that funny! You ponies are so cute, and so is the color of your blood and flesh!" He waved off the goblin holding his chains to continue going. Tutor passed out minutes later.