//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Starting Out Small // Story: The Order of No Quarter: Equestrian Frontier // by GamerDroid23 //------------------------------// After arriving back at Twilight's castle, the Mane Six and Order of No Quarter were discussing to get acquainted with the citizens of Ponyville, but couldn't decide on how to do it or who to start with. "Well, why don't we start by introducing you to the Cakes? They are very accepting of newcomers." suggested Pinkie. "Plus, the Twins are sweet little angels." "As much as that may be a good idea, I don't think I would go good with kids." stated Tinker Knight. "After all, they probably would think I am a baby too, due to my size." "Oh, what about the rest of the Apple family? I know Granny Smith likes to meet new people." stated Applejack. "I don't think I should be around old folks. It never ends well." stated Specter Knight, as he shuddered, reminiscing on a particularly bad memory of King Knight's grandmother. "Well, that's it, we're out of ideas." stated Twilight. "If only there was a test group we could use that wouldn't provide any unforeseen variables.." As soon as Twilight said that, the CMC ran in, with a whole horde of bees chasing after them. "Help us!" they shouted in unison before Fluttershy spoke to the swarm of bees, getting them to calm down and go back to the hives they came from. After the angry swarm of bees had left the castle, AppleBloom explained to them what had happened at Honey Bee's farm. "We was ah trying to get our cutie marks in beekeeping, but the only thing we managed to do is enrage thuh bees." stated AppleBloom, as she shuddered. AppleBloom then noticed the Order of No Quarter. She and the others jumped back in surprise upon seeing the armored figures standing there. At first, the three were in a state of shock, and after they gathered all the courage they could muster, poked one of the armoured beings, Specter Knight to be exact. "Don't be afraid you three...I don't bite." stated Specter Knight, which caused the three fillies to jump back in shock. "Whoa! A living suit of armor!' exclaimed Scootaloo, as she slowly got up. "That's so awesome!" "It looks like it's wearing one of them hooded cloaks that Zecora usually wears." stated AppleBloom. "What are you exactly? A skeleton?" asked Sweetie Belle, a quizzical look plastered upon her face. "Technically, I'm a ghost." stated Specter Knight, but in doing so managed to spark a desired interest in the three fillies. "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS: GHOST CATCHERS!" the trio screamed at the top of their lungs, as they began the crouch. "I think you might want to run now." whispered Fluttershy. To this comment, Specter Knight merely looked at her, and laughed. "Oh I've had to deal with this sort of thing before, and this tactic usually does the trick for me." replied Specter Knight, as he warped away just as the three rambunctious fillies pounced, causing them to land on top of each other. After this, Specter Knight appeared a few feet away from them and flung his scythe towards them. Scootaloo and AppleBloom managed to duck out of the way, but as Sweetie Belle ducked, the scythe grazed her curly mane, and managed to cut two inches off. "OH COME ON!!!" screamed Sweetie Belle, as she noticed the chunks of her frilly mane that now littered the marble castle floor. "Hey, you shouldn't have tried to jump on top of me. I was merely trying to introduce myself." stated Specter Knight. "But let's start over. I am Specter Knight. Whom might you three fillies be?" "I'm Sweetie Belle, pleasure to meet you mister Specter Knight." stated Sweetie Belle while Rarity was eyeing her. "I'm AppleBloom, pleased to meet ya, sir." replied AppleBloom, as she extended her fore hoof to shake Specter Knight's hand. "The name's Scootaloo, Sir Specter Knight." stated Scootaloo, before noticing the other armored figures. "Are those guys your friends?" "You would be quite right, Scootaloo." replied King Knight. " You three are probably wanting to know our names, so allow me to introduce ourselves..." "And that is everything that has happened since we got here up til now." concluded King Knight, as he looked to see the three fillies staring at them in awe. "judging by the expressions on your faces, you have some questions for us?" Scootaloo was the first to ask one of many questions. "So you guys are, like, from another universe?! That's so cool. What was it like there?" she asked with wonder-filled eyes. "Well, my young equus-avis, to answer your question to the fullest of our abilities, it requires all to gather round for story." stated Propeller Knight, as he motioned for the ponies to come over to him. When they had all sat down near him,(or in Pinkie's case, bounced), Polar Knight then cleared his throat. "It all began in the Valley, our peaceful abode. Wealth and fortune had been bestowed upon our land, and with it came prosperity and peace, but it was not to last. One dark day, The Enchantress conquered our land, ensuring her rule with an iron fist. All who defied her were destroyed. But she needed knights to ensure no one disobeyed. In the position that we were in, we had no choice but to agree and comply for fear of our lives and others. Until one day, a hero with blue and cerulean armour and shovel came to save us from her rule... and succeeded. He managed to defeat The Enchantress, and with the end of her reign of tyranny, came the beginning of an era of tranquility." stated Polar Knight, as he drew the story to a close. Whoa, and I thought Nightmare Moon was bad. thought Twilight, as she listened in silence. "There you have it girl's, the beginning of our screwed up friendship, and we have The Enchantress to thank." cackled Plague Knight maniacally. "Well, my dear knightly octet, you seem to have had a rough start in your lives, but it's not like that anymore. You can start anew." stated Rarity. "How about each of you stays at our places?" "That is a reasonable idea, Rarity." interjected Mole Knight. "I'll stay with you, besides I'll be happy an inspiration for one of your...fanciful fabric fashion features of fabulosity." "Uh...thanks Mole Knight...I think, but I thinking of going with Propeller Knight." replied Rarity, with a few sweat beads on her forehead. "Ah thanks lass, but I was going with Specter Knight, Scootaloo, and Rainbow Dash to Cloudsdale." stated Propeller Knight "Okay, um... how about you King Knight?" asked Rarity, sweat pouring off her now. "Sorry, but I'm going to stay here with Twilight and Tinker Knight, but thank you for the offer" replied King Knight, extremely politely. "Polar Knight? Treasure Knight?" croaked Rarity in a raspy voice as she began realize the inevitable. "I...am staying...with...Applejack and...Applebloom." moaned Polar Knight. "Sorry, but I'm staying at Fluttershy's cottage." replied Treasure Knight. "Look if you're worried about dirt, I always clean my armor very carefully after a dig, so you have nothing to fear in the slightest." commented Mole Knight, trying to keep Rarity from having a heart attack. "Oh, fine! But if I find so much as one speck of dirt in my house, I will personally beat you with a rug beater." claimed Rarity, as she accepted defeat, as she walked out the door with Mole Knight and Sweetie Belle in tow. Soon after, everyone else went and parted ways, until only Twilight, Tinker Knight, and King Knight were left. Twilight then went and locked the front door. After she did that, she turned to Tinker Knight and King Knight. "Follow me, I'll show you to your rooms." stated Twilight.