The door to the Sweet Apple Acres barn slowly opened, pushed by the shadowed muzzle of Winona. As she retreated, a small white bunny, and a very large brown bear quickly scooted inside, closing the door quietly behind them.
Once the three had gathered in the center of the darkened space, Angel began, "Well we all got Mama's message, so how are we going to do this?"
Raising a paw, "I can sneak out tomorrow and check out the town," Winona offered.
“Won't Big Mac go looking for you then?” Asked Harry, the whisper surprising to hear from his large form.
"Nah, he is doing double the apple bucking tomorrow, since Applejack is still going to be in Canterlot, and no worries about the little one since she is still there too.” Her tail wagged at the ease of her task.
“That's good,” agreed Angel, “I will make sure the Home Hive is keeping alert,” she sighed, “And try to keep them all calm too. But aside from Harry's area, it is going to be tricky to do what Mama wants if they don't want to cooperate.”
“Suuure,” said Harry as he rolled his eyes, “Because the Everfree is synonymous with easy. But I agree that it will be easier without worrying about Pony eyes . . . I am worried about Mama though. I know it is important to try to help the poor changelings blasted from Canterlot, I just wish Mama wasn't there all alone."
“You know as well as I that Ponies are scared of new and different things,” reminded Angel, “If Mama had anybuggy with her, it might well make things worse. Like she said, this is the best time for her to come forward, before they start getting all paranoid and start searching for us. If she can get them to see that not everybuggy is like the Mean Queen, things could get better for everyone!”
“But, I've never felt her broadcast that much fear before,” Winona whined, “She was trying so hard to keep it to herself, but I could taste the sour so much."
“We all tasted it, Winona, but that is all the more reason to do our best until Mama comes back... “
"But what if,” Winona tried to interrupt.
“No buts,” Harry continued, “You will go through the town tomorrow, and look for any Pony that you can't taste. Make note, and tell one of the Chirps to follow any that you find. Angel, you try to keep order in the hive, and be ready to send out reinforcements if needed. I, of course, will patrol the Everfree and Whitetail Woods. The Squeakers and Barks will help me. Remember, we offer help, medicine, shelter, and Love first. Only resin them if they refuse to listen. We want them to cooperate, but we are going to help them whether they want it or not. Mama told us all about the Mean Queen, but they might not know that there even is a better way.”
Angel's eyes dropped as she shuffled her paws, “I know, sometimes you have to be forceful to help someone. That doesn't mean I like it any more than when Mama makes me throw tantrums in front of ponies.”
“Winona nuzzled the sad bunny, “Yeah, but just think, if everything goes all right, then you won't have to help Mama with her timid cover anymore.”
This had the desired effect and the bunny brightened, "Oh, I almost forgot, the Chirps Mama took with her came back to the Hive just before I came over here. They were tired as all get out from the flight, but they were okay. They didn't see any of the attack, though, Mama just told them to hide before anything actually happened, and then came and got them after it was all done. The only thing they said they saw was a wave of pink a couple of minutes before Mama returned,” She paused thinking, "Oh yeah, and they said that the real bride was very nice, and very tasty with all the love she leaked.”
“Anything else?” Harry asked, and after their negative responses, "Okay then, everybody be careful now. Safety first, Second, and Third, just like Mama taught us.”
Their meeting done, the three went their separate ways. Winona back to the farmhouse to sleep on Applejack's bed as usual, Angel back to Fluttershy's cottage, and Harry back to his cave (Which was fixed up so nice, that it felt like a house.)
None of the three saw the glint of small blue eyes from a hay filled corner as the door swung silently shut again.
The eyes glistened with apprehension. They wanted to come out, but held no delusion on why they had remained hidden. To their shame, they were scared. Scared of change.