//------------------------------// // Hitting the Ground Running // Story: Thirty Minute Express Train to Story Town // by Predhack //------------------------------// “Alright girls, it’s time to go into the Everfree Forest and defeat Discord!” the Element of Magic said, striking a noble pose to show off the tiara on her head. Then abandoning the pose to keep it from sliding off and around her horn. The elements of Loyalty, Laughter, and Honesty cheered, their oversized necklaces jangled and sparkled around their necks as they stomped approval. Behind them the colts, Kindness and Generosity looked a bit more dubious of this grand adventure but were unable to go against the flow set by the four. “Let’s make sure we have everything,” Magic said, striking a pose less likely to tip her tiara, “Elements, check. Creepy dark forest. Check. Six friends who embody the-“ She cut off and glared at the Elements of Laughter and Loyalty who had stopped paying attention and been overcome with giggles. “Stop that! We’re supposed to be saving Equestria.” “But,” Loyalty giggled helplessly, “you sound just like our mom!” “Yeah,” Laughter chortled. “Your mother is a very important and well respected mare. I’m proud to be compared to her,” Magic huffed. Now Honesty joined in with the two L elements and began laughing too. “Stop that this instant,” Magic demanded imperiously. “Um, guys. Maybe we should head back. I don’t think we’re supposed to have these,” Kindness fiddled with the butterfly jeweled necklace. “Yeah, I don’t want to get in trouble with mama because of you again Ari,” Generosity added. “I am the Element of Magic and you will refer to me as such, Generosity,” Ari told the colt. “Now she sounds like her mom,” Laughter pointed out, and Loyalty began laughing again. “You two stop laughing, only one of you is supposed to be laughter!” “Why do I have to be Honesty again?” the female Pegasus asked, “Hey, Bambi, wanna trade? I wanna be kindness for a while.” “Bambino…” the male Pegasus, Bambi, answered, “I really think we should give these back.” Bambi or Bambino’s words went unheeded as the group fell into a massive fit of nearly equal parts bickering, embarrassing stories used to counter-bicker, and laughter. This continued until an older more mature voice made itself known. “ARIANE AMBROSIA APPLE,” the voice shouted. Immediately the former Element of Magic flinched and dumped the tiara that was only half on her head into a saddlebag and tried to dive behind the tan coated Generosity. “And Charden!” the voice added, approaching from the road nearest the Everfree entrance the kids had chosen. “What are you and your sister getting up to THIS TIME?” Charden, the now former generosity, immediately spilled out his guts, describing the way his sister had rounded them up and gotten the Sparkle Pie twins, Midnight Snack, and Moon Gleam Pie, to bring the elements from their house. After the confession Applejack stared at the line of fillies and colts, who had instinctively lined up and put on their shame faces once it became clear the voice of authority was on the scene. She gave them a minute to sweat before marching up the line collecting elements and tossing them into the saddlebags of the pinkish and purplish unicorn and earth pony fillies. “Now you two take those STRAIGHT home, and tell your momma what ye did,” Applejack ordered, “Now get on now.” She nudged them firmly and the two took off, laughter becoming audible once they were out of sight. “Charden, Ariane. You’re to got STRAIGHT back to the farm, find Big Macintosh and ask him for chores to do ‘til I get home.” The pair replied completely differently from each other, with Charden sighing in relief at a light punishment and Ariane gasping like she’d been told she was going to get whipped. “But he might give me something where I’ll get dirty! Mother would be furious,” Ariane wheedled. “She’ll get over it,” Applejack told her flatly, “Besides a little dirt never hurt nopony.” “What if I get sick from germs or something?” “Well, the best way I know to not get sick are healthy doses of getting dirty your entire life. Oh look, I just told you to go do that. Now skedaddle.” AJ snapped her tail in their direction and Charden pulled his sister onto his back and ran before she could open her mouth again. “Dubya, Bambino, I’m taking you two home,” Applejack told them. She may have wanted to see to the dirtying of her own children but AJ was loathe to leave two young kids wandering to Fluttershy’s house so close to the forest FROM so close to the forest. “Don’t call me Dubya,” the female Pegasus mumbled. “Beg pardon?” Applejack asked archly. “I don’t want to be called Dubya. It make me sound like I’m stupid or incompetent or something.” “Well, it’s either that or Flower for nicknames Wildflower so you’ll just have to pick and let me know.” Wildflower grumbled her assent and pawed at the ground. Applejack turned to the remaining colt and last child. “You have anything to say, Bambi?” “Bambin- I mean. Nope,” he replied, quietly. “Good,” Applejack said cheerily, “now let’s get you home. I’m sure your mom’s worried sick with Dash out to Bolts training this week.” Meekly the two pegasi kids followed the older pony back toward their home. Mentally the earth pony chuckled at their antics. Stealing the Elements of Harmony to go on an adventure. She loved them but sometimes she caught herself yearning for the days of the CMC. Then she checked herself and prayed she hadn’t said any of that out loud. When they’d first had their kids the six friends had sworn, and then sworn everyone they knew to secrecy about the prior existence of that particular club. Three ponies had been bad enough. What would they do with SIX Cutie Mark Crusaders.