//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3: Tour of the Town 
// Story: Red, Blue, Green, Violet, 
// by LittleSnowCloud 
//------------------------------//

Red gave a small burp and said, "Excuse me," before rolling onto his stomach with a sigh. 

Twilight's kitchen had been thoroughly pillaged and all four of the Hylians were sprawled in various positions of comfort on the floor. Empty pie dishes and plates littered the kitchen alongside chip bags and apple cores, and Spike looked at it sadly, knowing that cleaning would probably be left to him once again. 

"Wow." Rainbow Dash looked at the boys with wide eyes. "I've seen a lot in my days, but I've never seen something eat so much so fast, except maybe for parasprites. When was the last time you guys had a full meal?"

Red raised his hand and said, "I've never had a full meal. I've been adventuring since I was created."

Fluttershy gasped and gently rubbed Red's food-swollen belly. "Oh you poor things! Why didn't you say something sooner?"

"Didn't want to take 'vantage of your hospitality..." Green mumbled, raising his arm off his eyes to look at the yellow pegasus. "As for me... It's been about two months since I got to eat this much. It's so nice~"

"Agreed." Blue mumbled, stretching out and yawning.

With a grunt, Vio pushed himself up, taking off his hat and running a hand through his golden hair. A hoof touched the top of his head and he looked up to see Rainbow Dash looking at him curiously. "That was a hat?"

All four Links burst out laughing. "Of course!" Red said, taking off his own. The others did the same and Rainbow nodded a few times. 

"Mmkay. Rad." She flapped her wings a few times and stood lightly on the kitchen table, magenta eyes going from one Link to another. 

Replacing his hat, Vio stood and waddled/walked to where Spike was picking up miscellaneous trash and bent down to help him. The dragon seemed surprised, his jaw actually dropping in shock when the other three got up and joined Vio in cleaning. 

Rainbow Dash's ears went up with curiosity. "Whatcha cleanin' for? Isn't that Spike's job?"

Green looked over at the cyan pony, brow furrowed. "Be we made the mess. Why should Spike have to clean it?"

"Yup." Blue dropped an armful of containers into the trash. "Even I know that, and I'd usually just get pissed."

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash shared a look, then both pegasi began to help. Spike looked almost ready to cry with thankful joy. 

With all of them working, the kitchen was cleaned in just a few minutes. Spike looked around, eyes shining. "I guess this means I've got some free time?"

Rainbow shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"

Spike cheered and ran off. Blue barked a laugh and elbowed Red gently in the side. "That dragon kinda reminds me of you, Red."

The boy laughed at Blue's words, giving a mock growl and saying, "I'm a fierce dragon! Fear me!"

The other three shared grins and began to act all scared, running away as Red chased them around the table, roaring. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy watched, amused. "They're just a bunch of little colts, aren't they?" Rainbow said, snickering. 

"They really are." Fluttershy's blue eyes held a soft glow of affection as she kept her gaze on the boys. "It's so precious."

Eventually, the boys stopped chasing each other around and they sat cross-legged on the ground, talking quietly. Fluttershy walked up quietly and said, "Um... Excuse me?" All four looked up at her with identical blue eyes. "I was just wondering... Well, since you're here, would you like to see the town? I'm sure you'd like it and you could meet our other friends."

Green looked thoughtful and the other three were watching him, apparently content with whatever decision he came to. "Don't see why not. And even if Twilight isn't done with us, I get the feeling she'll track is down when she deems it necessary."

"Yeah, you're probably right." Rainbow Dash's wings fluttered excitedly. "So let's go! First stop: Sugar Cube Corner!"

~~~
The town was beautiful, with pale grey cobblestoned roads and brightly painted houses, the sky impossibly blue. The ponies that passed Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy with their group of four Hylians all looked curiously at them and a few approached. 

They were surprised by the kindness of the ponies. The first pony that was curious enough to inquire about the four was a pink mare named Daisy. She asked Fluttershy what they were and Fluttershy had simply said, "It's okay to ask them. They don't bite."

The mare had introduced herself, seeming surprised when Vio, Red, Blue, and Green spoke their names. But she'd quickly warmed up, and the five had a nice conversation about flowers. 

Daisy had left with a smile and a wave, leaving Vio to marvel at the beauty of a world where alien creatures were approached with only the hope of friendship. 

After Daisy came Lucky Dreams, a blue-green pegasus who was quick with a grin. Then a cross-eyed pony named Derpy. Then a cream-colored mare named Rose. 

By the time they arrived at Sugar Cube Corner, all four of the Hylian were silent, each one thinking deeply. "Here we are," Fluttershy said as she pushed open the store's front door. 

"Yo, Pinkie!" Rainbow flew in, shouting out her friend's name. "Where are ya? We've got some new friends for you!"

"Comiiing!" The cheerful voice was the prelude to the appearance of a bright pink pony, her poofy pink mane bouncing along with her steps. Her blue eyes landed on the Links and she gasped, jumping over and hopping excitedly in front of Fluttershy.

"Oh my gosh, Fluttershy! I didn't know you were bringing some of your animal buddies today!" She looked the four over, gaze open and welcoming. "What are they?"

"They said they're Hylians." Fluttershy stepped out of the way so Pinkie could approach them. 

"That's so super!" Pinkie held out a good and said, "I'm Pinkie Pie! What are your names?"

Green shook Pinkie Pie's good awkwardly, saying. "I'm Green." The others introduced themselves and Pinkie nodded happily, not seeming surprised that they could speak her language. 

"Those are fun names! Hey, do you guys want some cupcakes? I just baked a really good batch!"

Vio shook his head even while Red enthusiastically nodded. "We've already eaten," he said. 

Red pouted. 

"Oh, boo." Pinkie Pie's tail flicked and she pouted with Red for a second before her smile returned to her face. "Hey! You guys are new in town, right? That means-" She gasped, lifting a foot off the ground before dashing away. 

She returned with a strange wagon and pressed a button on it, resulting in a lot of flashing lights and music as she sang a 'Welome to Ponyville' song. It ended with an explosion of cake batter. 

Pinkie Pie laughed. "I put the cake in the confetti cannon! Again!"

Blue started to growl, thoroughly covered, but Red's happy laugh calmed him down and he settled on just crossing his arms and looking mutinous. 

"Hold on! I'll get some napkins!" Pinkie hopped off while the group tried to wipe off some of the batter. 

"She's... Really something." Green wrung some batter from his hair. 

"She's a great party planner and super nice." Rainbow Dash flapped her wings, sending unbaked cake flying. "I know how she seems, but she's surprisingly serious when the situation needs it. She's a good friend."

"Oh my gosh, thank you!" Pinkie Pie hopped in and hugged Rainbow Dash close, resulting in the cyan pony blushing and muttering something embarrassedly. "Here you go guys!" Pinkie released Rainbow and handed the napkins around, helping with the removal of the batter. "So where you all going after this? Will it be fun? Can I go?"

"Well, Rarity's boutique is the next closest friend location, and we were kinda showing these guys around and introduceding them to the fam." Rainbow Dash shook out her mane, earning a growl from Blue as the Hylian was once again splattered with cake. 

"I wanna go, I wanna go!" Pinkie turned and yelled, "Mister and Misses Cake! I'm going out!"

An answering call came from the direction of the kitchen. "All right! Goodbye dear!"

"Okay! Let's go!" Pinkie led the way out, humming quietly to herself. Red followed her happily, grinning. 

~~~
Pinkie Pie knocked on the entrance to a fancy looking, round building, stepping back as the door swung open to reveal a white mare with a curled purple mane and tail. "Welcome to the Carousel Boutique! How can I- Oh, hello Pinkie, darling. Do come in."

Pinkie Pie hopped in, followed by the rest of the group. Vio looked around at the many dresses and suits displayed within the building, impressed by the elegance and style in each piece. 

"You're just in time, darling, I needed somepony to try on this design I just finished and- oh good heavens, Fluttershy, what have you brought into my shop."

Green gave an awkward grin and waved. "Hi. I'm Green."

Rarity fainted. 

After being revived and briefed on the situation, Rarity seemed much more willing to talk with the four. "Sorry about fainting, I suppose I just wasn't expecting... Well, I'm sure you understand."

Vio shrugged, an easy grin on his face. "Don't worry about it, dear. No offense taken."

"Well, aren't you a gentlecolt." Rarity trotted curiously around Vio, taking measurements and writing them down. "Stand still for a moment darling, this won't take much longer."

"Are you like Twilight?" Red gently tapped Rarity's shoulder, eyes wide. 

"Whatever do you mean darling?"

Red mimed using a measuring tape. "You both measure."

Rarity laughed and shook her head. "Oh, no no no no. I'm taking these for tailoring purposes. Twilight takes them down because she likes writing numbers."

Red nodded and, answered, wandered off to touch the fabric on some dresses. 

Rarity leaned over and whispered to Fluttershy, "And you're absolutely certain that they're clean?" Fluttershy nodded. 

Vio shifted a bit, starting to itch, and he sighed to himself when different fabrics were brought close to him by Rarity's magic. It was obvious that this pony cared deeply for her craft and people, or ponies, that cared about what they did always took their time on it. He had a feeling he was going to be here a while. 

"Fluttershy, darling, what do you think, white or black?"

"Both."

"You're absolutely right." Different swaths of fabric attached themselves to Vio, coming together in the rough outline of a monochrome suit. "Yes that will look lovely."

Rainbow Dash groaned loudly and said, "We have places to be, Rarity, please stop."

"Well, if you simply must go, then go ahead, I have the necessary measurements, though I expect you to come back later, Vio, and try on this outfit so I can make the necessary adjustments."

"Of course, my lady." Vio bowed and Rarity giggled happily, giving a curtsy in response. 

"Come on, Romeo." Blue grabbed Vio by the back of his tunic and dragged him out. 

"Where next?" Red hopped alongside Pinkie Pie, looking at the mare with wide-eyed curiosity. 

"Sweet Apple Acres!" The pink pony declared. "Let's go!"

~~~
"Please untie us." Green looked pleadingly up at the orange mare that had lassoed him and his friends. 

"Well, I'll be. They can talk!" 

"Of course they can talk!" Rainbow Dash tugged at the rope. "They're not wild critters, AJ, they're friends."

"Well, why didn't you say so." With a flick of the rope, all four Hylians were freed and the mare tipped the brown Stetson on her head. "Howdy y'all. My name's Applejack. Sorry 'bout lassoing ya, but I couldn't just let y'all wander. What if you were after my apples?"

"Apples?" Blue crossed his arms, scowling. "Why would we want apples?"

"Cause, the Apple family apples are the greatest thing any critter could ever eat." Applejack grinned proudly, obviously deeply in love with her family and its business. "Now how can I help y'all."

"We're just showing them around." Fluttershy motioned to the apple orchards around them with a wave of her hoof. "We wanted to introduce them to all our friends while we were at it."

Pinkie Pie bounced excitedly. "Yeah! Rarity is already making them outfits!"

"Course she is." Applejack offered her hoof to each Hylian and they all shook. "If my friends say you're all right, then you're all right. I'm sure we'll get along just fine. Come on up to the barn, you can meet the rest of the family." 

With a flick of her blonde tail, Applejack turned and led the way to a large, bright red barn, pushing open the door and stepping aside to let the rest of the group in first. 

"Big Mac! Apple Bloom! Granny! We got guests!" Applejack's call was answered by two sets of hoofsteps, heavy and light. A small filly with a big bow on the back of her red-maned head ran in first, followed closely by a large red stallion. 

"Woah! What are those, Applejack!" The little yellow filly ran up to Red and pulled curiously at his tunic. "And what're they wearin'?"

"This here's Red, Green, Blue, and Vio." Applejack pointed to each Hylian as she introduced them. "They're friends." 

"Well howdy! I'm Apple Bloom! I'm a Cutie Mark Crusader!" The filly grinned at Red and the Hylian smiled back at her. He didn't know what a 'Cutie Mark Crusader' was, but Apple Bloom seemed very enthusiastic about it. 

"This here's Big Macintosh. He don't talk much." Applejack waved a hoof at the red stallion and he nodded. 

"Eeyup."

Then, an old, wrinkled green pony walked in and gave the four Links a suspicious glance. "Now Applejack, what did I say about bringing critters into the barn?" The mare moved to Green and started to push him towards the door. "Get on lil critter, out."

"Granny, they ain't wild critters." Applejack gently nudged the old pony back. "They're friends. This here's Granny Smith. One of the wisest ponies in Ponyville."

"Ya darn right I am." Granny extended a shaky hoof and allowed Green to shake. "If AJ says you're fine, then I guess you can stay. Just don't go stealin' any apples, got it?"

Blue rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, we get it, you guys like apples."

Pinkie Pie giggled. "They sure do! Hey Applejack! I got an idea!" Pinkie hopped up and down, grinning. 

Applejack turned towards Pinkie, ears pricked. "What's that, Pinkie?"

"Let's take these guys out into the orchard! We can all have like, an apple picnic party!"

Applejack and Apple Bloom shared a look. "Well," the orange mare decided. "I don't see no problem with that. You comin' too, Bloom?"

"Yeah! Let's go! Maybe I'll get my cutie mark in critter befriending, like Fluttershy!"

Applejack shook her head and gave her sister a loving look. "Alright, sugarcube. We'll see. Come on y'all! Just follow me and I'll show a real nice place to relax."

The whole crew filed out of the barn behind Applejack and the pony led the way into the apple trees.