Rarity looked around her workshop. She saw the ponyquinns that she used for her friends' dresses for the Grand Galloping Gala. While no expert on gamma radiation, Rarity learned a lot about it from listening on Trixie's statements on how the gamma bomb killed everypony in Ponyville. She thought back on how she proved Twilight Sparkle's innocence. While she knew Twilight was framed she did had a nagging question: How did Twilight survive, unmutated and unharmed from the explosion? Was it the hoof of Celestia that shielded her? Did the lead in Twilight's room shield her from the blast? So many questions and possible answers. She knew Twilight was right, this was serious and she had to take things serious: foodstuffs, gamma protection, weapons. She lacked the last one. Aside from possibly her cat Opalescence. She started packing everything she had that could be usable. Rarity was still wondering where she could get a weapon to serve in this all out war against Discord and Trixie. There was a knock at the door, it was Sweetie Belle who was carrying a package. She gave it to Rarity.
“It is from mom and dad, said it was from Grandma Glory.” Sweetie Belle told her sister who opened up the package. It was a Walther P99 with a silencer. The holster had Rarity's full name: Rarity Matsukaze Incitatus. Rarity smiled and strapped the holster to her flank.
“This is all I need Sweetie Belle. Thank you.” Rarity said as she hugged her sister. “If I don't make it, you're next in line for the store's ownership.” With that, Rarity trotted off to the town hall to meet her friends.
Pinkie Pie looked at her improvised pie launcher and cupcake launcher. The two weapons were ready to be used. She was pumped up, ready to defend Equestria. And yet she felt slightly empty. She had to say goodbye to her family, not just the Cakes which she already did. Even their foals. She realized there was one last person she had to bid farewell to. Cranky Doodle Donkey, she hopped, skipped and jumped to his house and knocked on the door.
“Good afternoon Pinkie Pie. I heard you're leaving to defeat the dastardly Trixie, word travels fast.” Cranky told her. “What will you be using? As a former veteran I am curious.”
“The latest word in big badda boom hardware.” Pinkie said as she pulled out her confection launcher. “Made by me.” Cranky looked happy at his friend.
“You have my support friend, just be careful.” Cranky told her. “Here's something to remember me by.” Cranky gave Pinkie her his toupee that Pinkie Pie damaged on their first meeting. With a salute, Cranky bid farewell to Pinkie.
Fluttershy paced back and forth in her cottage. She had everything but a weapon. She was nervous as she knew she had to help Twilight in some way. However, she abhorred the use of violence, despite being a Pegasus whom have a strong military culture and history. The Wonderbolts were originally part of the Equestrian air force, Rainbow Dash was an excellent athlete and fighter. Also many of the legendary pony warriors were pegasi: Bucephalus and Bellerophon were the first that popped into Fluttershy's mind. There was a knock at the door, it was Fleetfoot of the Wonderbolt's with a case.
“Make sure Rainbow Dash gets this, it was her mother's.” Fleetfoot said as she flew off. Fluttershy opened up the case, it was a Stallionn Co. MP5 with a silencer. She noticed there was a drawer underneath the MP5. Fluttershy curiously opened the drawer and found a Baby Browning pistol. This was her chance to arm herself. She quickly placed it in her saddlebag after checking if the safety was on. There was another knock, it was Rainbow Dash who was in a Wonderbolt uniform.
“Yo Fluttershy, Soarin said I will find my mom's SMG here.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Oh yeah here you go.” Fluttershy whispered as she gave Rainbow Dash the case.
“Awesome, come with me we can go to the market together.” Rainbow Dash told her friend. Fluttershy smiled and followed her fellow Pegasus to the meeting place.
Applejack had military history in her family, she knew the ropes, knew where to get her supplies. Even her weapon she knew exactly where to get it. The mantlepiece above her fireplace. They were her two Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolvers. She quickly buckled them up and readied her supplies and was about to trot out. Until she heard Apple Bloom wake up and saw her sister leave, maybe for the last time. Applejack turned around and gave Apple Bloom her hat, hugged her and with a wink and the quote “Them vermits can beat me if they can, survive if I let them.” she trotted out to the town hall.
“Tonight is a good night.” Twilight Sparkle stated as she looked up at the stars at Ponyville's marketplace and lit a hoof-rolled stogie and breathed in the smoke. “I deserve this.” She sighed. She looked at her rifle and smiled. As it will see action very soon. She heard hooves in the distance. She saw the two Pegasi; Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash approaching her. She nodded and saluted her comrades.
“Ready to go full bore, Sparkle.” Rainbow Dash said as she saluted back.
“Fluttershy, ready to go the distance.” Fluttershy said as she shivered in fear. Next came Rarity trotting along.
“Rarity here. Sharp as a razor.” Rarity sounded off and pulled a cigarette holder that suddenly became a stiletto. Applejack cantered over next to Rarity.
“Go ahead Twilight, make my day.” Applejack grumbled smiling. Twilight Sparkle smiled at her assembled team. Trixie had no chance of victory. She looked at her friends, she wondered where Pinkie Pie was. She heard graceful trotting and turned around urgently as she knew it wasn't somepony with the walking habits of Pinkie Pie and aimed her rifle at the darkness.
“Show yourself!” Twilight yelled. The mare did show herself, it was Princess Luna. Twilight lowered her rifle. And bowed, as did the other ponies.
“Ditsy Doo sent Us your message about assembling a team to fight that ingrate Trixie, We are here to give you our blessing.”
“We lack Pinkie Pie however.” Twilight pointed out. Right after she said this a huge KA-BOOM! Cried out and something landed right between Luna and Twilight. As the dust cleared it was Pinkie Pie, still dressed in her kilt, eye patch and soup cans.
“Hey Twilight are you ready for some adventure?” Pinkie asked excitedly.
“Are you ready to get a watch?” Twilight grumbled, keeping her cigar in her mouth.
“SILENCE!” Luna yelled using her Princess voice. “THE SIX OF YOU ARE NOW PROTECTORS OF EQUESTRIA'S WELL BEING! FOR THAT WE GIVE YOU OUR BLESSING HERE AND NOW! MAY TRIXIE BE DROWNED IN FLAMES FOR HER CRIMES AGAINST PONYKIND!” The Ponies eased up and stood at attention. Luna glared at Twilight's cigar. “Twilight, stamp out that cigar!” She ordered sternly. Twilight's eyes bugged out and she immediately stamped out the cigar. “Everybody else is good to go. I must leave to attend to the night.” With that Luna vanished.
“Well Twilight where shall we move to first? We have gamma protection, should we check on the Everfree Forest. In my opinion of course.” Rarity asked.
“Nope, we're gonna go to Appleloosa we have to check on Braeburn!” Applejack yelled worried. “I just remembered that Braeburn might've been caught in a gamma bomb. We have to check if he's safe.”
“Exactly why I chose to move out and check on Appleloosa first.” Twilight Sparkle answered.
“You do know that our gamma protection might not last walking all the way to Appleloosa right Twilight?” Rarity asked.
“We're not going to hoof it.” Twilight remarked pointing to the train. “The train's lead paint can help us get the extra protection we need.”
“I have a bad feeling about this.” Rainbow Dash said. “But you're our leader Twilight.” With that, all six of the ponies walked into the train.
“Before we go I want to name ourselves. You know the six of us. We have been friends for so long and are willing to die for each other now.” Fluttershy said said nervously.
“I like that idea.” Pinkie Pie said.
“Ah'm with them too we need a name.” Applejack concurred.
“Yeah we're the six main ponies that protect Equestria we need something catchy, epic and of course marketable when we have dolls of each other.” Rarity said hyped up about this idea.
“Twilight's Five.” Twilight said.
“No, it has to be dramatic, twenty percent more memorable and makes sure each of us is an individual. Like you said Rarity, we are the six main ponies. So how about the Mane 6 as in a horse's mane?” Rainbow Dash requested to everybody. One by one, everypony's hooves were raised in agreement. Twilight smiled and raised her hoof in the final agreement.
“Let's roll out some armor Mane 6. We got a war to win now.” Twilight ordered as she started the train to Appleloosa.