Tom walked into the throne room, still getting used to his new legs. Four legs to walk with felt weird, and he had no hands for holding his sword properly, which was the only equipment that stayed on him. Everything else could not fit properly, not even magic rings. This made him have the feeling from that time again. It made him feel...truly naked.
Then a terrible noise made him jump out of his thoughts, as the pink pony from before appeared out of nowhere and started playing many instruments in front of him.
It seemed...impossible for her to play all of those instruments at the same time, with at least two of them to breath into.
“Pinkie Pie!” Applejack shouted beside her, trying to get her to stop.
Pinkie stopped to look at her friend. “Hey, Applejack. What’s up?”
“What’s up? We’re about ta have a serious conversation, and ya nearly made the one who needs ta talk deaf! We’re inside, remember? Stuff is even louder when ya play tha stuff inside.” Applejack offered her hoof to Tom, who had fallen over. “Sorry ‘bout that, mister. I guess Pinkie figured that she still had ta impress ya from yesterday.”
Ears still ringing, Tom looked at the hoof being offered to him. This was a good way to measure the one in front of him. He (somehow) held onto the hoof, but let himself be limp. He wanted to see how strong this pony was.
With no effort at all, she swung him to his hooves. Tom nodded in approval. “You are quite strong. You must be one of the six warriors Newtolm told me about.”
“Well, ya got that right.” Applejack said with a grin. “Lets introduce ourselves.”
As the six gathered together, Tom looked in confusion. Something didn’t seem right.
Other than the princess and his comrades, there were only five others. Guess the princess is counted as one of the six.
Tom looked at the six, and the first thing he noticed was the light blue pony with the rainbow mane.
He looked at her, then made a small bow, which was more like a nod in the body he was in. “Rainbow Dash.”
“You remembered my name?” Dash looked at Tom questionably.
“I would never forget the name of the one who beat me in combat. You are a warrior, and I see why you are in this room today.” Tom looked at the other five.
“*Ahem*” Twilight cleared her throat. “Sir Tom, we are the six heroes that stand before you. We have Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and myself, Twilight Sparkle.”
Tom looked at the others as the names were said, and stopped when he realized the two that didn’t look like they would belong here were...here.
Walking over to Fluttershy, Tom watched her reaction as she noticed that it was her that his focus was on.
Before anything could happen, Rainbow Dash landed in-between the two. “Hey, we don’t need a repeat of what happened yesterday, do we? Because If you’re thinking on picking on Fluttershy again, I’ll gladly kick your flank a second time.”
Tom looked at Dash. But to her surprise, there was more of a look of...approval? It was hard to tell, since he didn’t smile. “You truly are a warrior, in both body and spirit, Rainbow Dash. You are quick to defend the ones you care about as your speed to fly. Your loyalty to those around you puts you in front of danger, but that loyalty is your strength.”
Tom’s look changed when he looked at the others. “But…are you really the only warriors this town has to offer?”
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Let me guess...you were hoping that there would be more stallions here, all dressed in armor and stuff. Is there something wrong with the six of us being mares?”
“What makes you say that?” Tom looked at Dash questionably. “In Odin’s army, his strongest warriors are called the Valkyries. They are brave and proud warriors, and they are all women. I do not see gender as a barrier to stop you from taking arms to defend your homes.”
Tom walked up to Fluttershy, watching her.
Fluttershy looked at Tom, but his stare was...unnerving her.
“...Um...may...may I help you, Mister Tom?”
With a sigh, Tom closed his eyes. “You are too kind. The one who trampled and yelled at you yesterday stands before you, and you offer your help anyways?”
“W-well, you did apologize.” Fluttershy looked at Tom with a soft smile.
Tom opened his eyes with a hard look on his face, but softened slightly when he looked at her. “...When you find your life partner, you are going to make a wonderful mother.” Fluttershy, surprised by this comment, blushed to a beet red.
“You are caring. Any creature that has a problem, you are the kind of person who would go out of your way to help them. Your kindness is worn on your heart as the sun warms the land...And that is exactly why you shouldn’t be here.”
Before Fluttershy could say anything, Tom turned his attention to Pinkie Pie. “And you...”
Tom was actually terrified of what he saw. Pinkie Pie actually inflated herself on que when his attention was turned to her. She left out the air, almost getting launched by the wind pressure. “Impressed ya, yet?”
Tom shook his head, going back to his unimpressed look. “....You do not take anything seriously, do you?”
“I take parties seriously.” Pinkie said as she bounced around Tom. “And making sure that everypony around here has a smile on their face is another thing I take very seriously.”
“Children must like you, since you are full of cheer and laughter. But that is not what we need against this threat.”
He moved on to the second last pony. “And you... aren’t you the tailor Newtolm asked for, earlier?”
“Why, yes I am, darling. But I am here because I am one of the six heroes as well.” Rarity held her head proud. “I will lend my hoof to those in need, even if they get dirty. If need be, I’ll even give them the things they need, free of charge.”
“I’ve heard of farmers taking up arms to defend their lands, but I’ve never heard of a tailor doing the same. And to give to others is generous, but I need warriors.” Tom walked to Applejack. “And what of you? You have the strength greater than most I...”
Applejack held her hoof up. “Now let me stop ya there, partner. I don’t need no shower of praise here because I exercise. I’m just a plain ol’ farmer, straight out of Green Apple Acres.”
Tom looked at Applejack. “As I said before, I’ve heard of farmers taking up arms. But I like your honesty. You could have said nothing and made me believe you were a true warrior, but honest warriors are the best warriors. Just don’t let your honesty be your downfall on the battlefield.”
He stopped at Twilight. “And your power comes from your magic. While you do not hold a warrior’s spirit, it is plain to see your intelligence is your strength.” Tom walked back to his original position “There are some I can see you facing strong opponents. But the main point that I must say is...how are you six the ones we need to defeat the demon Korthak?”
As Tom turned around to face the six, a voice called out from the hall.
“The reason why they can help is because of the very things you said. Their loyalty, their kindness, their laughter, their generosity, their honesty, and their magic. They are the wielders of the Elements of Harmony.”
Tom blinked as he whipped around to see who was calling out to them.