//------------------------------// // First day in Ponyville (first part) // Story: Legends of the Mane Six : FIRST BOOK // by Cedric Inuzuka //------------------------------// Big thank to Kidak for pre reading this chapter CHAPTER THREE: First day in Ponyville (first part) The carriage, drawn by two pegasi royal guards, was flying toward Ponyville, inside a purple unicorn was talking with her assistant, a baby dragon. “So Twilight, by what we start?” “I don't know Spike, what do you think of checking the library and then making a checklist?” “Again, that will make what? The fifth?” “Detail, Spike. I will make a checklist to finish the preparation the earliest possible.” “Why? You have seven days to supervise the summer sun celebration.” “Maybe but if I show to princess Celestia that I have finished the preparation for the festival in less than seven days, she will give me more important missions than going to Ponyville, of all the places she could have chosen, Ponyville really.” Twilight ended with a bit of bitterness in her voice. “I concluded that you are not happy to leave Canterlot.” “Of course I am, between my parents and my brother who watch all my movement, I'm more than happy to be far from them, but Ponyville Spike, I don't think there is worse place than that and believe me I checked.” “I'm sure you did?” Spike said with exasperation then he turned his head and saw the town where they will remain for the week. "Look Twilight, we have arrived." Five minutes later they were landing in front of the library, Twilight thanked the guard who flew back to Canterlot. Inside the building, Twilight put her saddlebags on the floor and opened them. Spike took everything that was inside and placed it on the ground following a specific order, after this he looked at the unicorn. “Well, it's time to work your magic and regrow your stuff.” “They are not stuff, these are my robes, quills, papers, books and everything I will need to make this mission a success." “Whatever, just do it.” Twilight rolled her eyes and began to concentrate, her horn started glowing a soft purple color and with a flash everything grew to its normal size. “Now Spike unpack, I will write the checklist.” Spike answered with a nod and started to work. Meanwhile, Twilight was working on her ultimate checklist, at least that's what she said. 'by which I might begin, let's see …' After Spike put everything in the room, he returned to the ground floor where Twilight finished her work. “Just in time Spike, why don't you make us breakfast and after we will begin our journey.” “Sorry but there nothing in the kitchen, we will have to grab something outside.” “What? That not possible, this will ruin my schedule.” She closed her eyes and had a idea. “That is too bad but we will have to skip a meal.” “Hey maybe that's fine for you since you're all grow up but I am a BABY dragon, so I need all of my meals.” he glared at her and folded his arms to make his point. Twilight took her list and showed to him with her magic. “Look our first stop, is the pony that is in charge of the banquet, I'm sure we can have some samples.” Spike took the list and read it. “Sweet Apple Acres...” Then he looked at her. “Do you even know where it is?” “Of course, remember that the mayor sent a map of Ponyville, so what do you think ?” “Fine, you win. But maybe you should change before going out.” Twilight checked her robe. “Why? This robe isn't good enough?” “She is fine enough for Canterlot but here you will stand out. You need something more simple.” "You're right, I'm going to change and we can go." Ten robes later, Twilight finally chose a simple light purple dress. “Why are all of your clothes purple? Your coat is already purple.” “Because I like purple.” “Obviously.” whispered the little dragon. “Now, can we go?” Twilight answered with a nod and opened the door with her magic. They arrived at their destination, when they step inside the propriety they heard a shout followed by a loud sound. “Did you hear that, Spike? It came from over there.” She indicated the area where the sound came from. “Let’s go see.” “Hum, are you sure?” But the unicorn was already halfway to the destination and couldn't hear Spike. “Damn.” Nothing could have prepared Twilight for what she saw when she arrived on site. She saw an orange coated pony who was applebucking, but that wasn't the only reason she was staring at him. 'Whoa! What a handsome stallion, he is muscular but not too much, a little effeminate but it gives him some charm and because of the sweat, his clothes clings to the body. Oh buck, he saw me, he comes here. Play it cool Twilight.' The pony in question, was trotting toward the unicorn, a little smile on his lips, he was wearing leather pants, an open shirt and a light brown stetson on his head. 'Oh Celestia, his shirt is open, this should be illegal, and his smile too.' At this point, Twilight was nearly drooling. “Yee-haw ma’am ah'm Applejack and you are?” The only answer the blonde pony got was a blush. 'Come on brain, he asked you a question, reboot' after fighting another blush, she regained control of her body. “Greetings sir Jack...” But she couldn't finish. “Sir? Sorry but ah'm a mare like you” “What?” The purple unicorn became a red unicorn. 'How is that possible? The first time I find a pony attractive and it is a mare, way to go Twilight.' "Are you alright, sugarcube?" She walked to her and put her hoof on the unicorn forehead. “you're kind of hot.” This was the last word Twilight heard before she passed out. When she began to regain consciousness, she could hear a conversion between her assistant and the mare she met before. 'Hung, I can believe I just passed out.' “What do ya think about this apple pie, Spike?” “Perfect, I will keep a piece for Twilight when she wakes up.” “You don't have to wait, I'm up.” Twilight rose and stood in front of Applejack. “Sorry, I didn't have breakfast and you can see the results.” “Ah, is not a problem sugarcube, why don't ya join Spike at the table I will bring you something for that.” The pony answered with a wink. “Feeling better?” The dragon asked when the unicorn sat at the table where some dishes were already there. “You should try the apple juice, it's refreshing.” “Thanks spike.” She took a sip of the juice and was surprised by the taste. “You're right, it's very good.” “Thank ya Miss Sparkle.” Applejack placed another dish on the table and sat in front of the unicorn. “Try this and tell me what ya think.” “Please call me Twilight, Miss Apple.” “Only if ya call me Applejack or AJ if ya prefer.” “Deal, did Spike tell you why I am here?” “Ya are the student of Princess Celestia and came for supervising the preparation of the summer sun celebration, is that right?” “In a nutshell that is right, but the mayor wrote that it was the Apple family who are in charge of the banquet but you seem to be alone.” “The rest of the family will arrive by train in two days. The major party comes from Appleloosa. For the moment there's only my brother Big Macintosh, and my grandmother Granny Smith. Finish your food and I'll introduce them.” After she finished her pie, Twilight met Granny Smith and Big Macintosh, when she saw him she thought immediately of her brother. 'I wonder how Shining doing in Baltimare?' Shining Armor was doing fine, but was not where he should be since he was wearing a pair of binoculars and spying on his sister. 'Damn it Twily, have you no pride, and what are you doing with this orange stallion? An earth pony, I can't believe you.' “Hum, Captain.” interrupted a young unicorn. “What is it, squire?” “I was wondering if what we are doing is right, sir.” “Can you elaborate?” “I mean spying on Lady Sparkle, sir.” “As her brother, I have every right to do that, it's for her own good, and if you don't make a mistake, she will never know. You won't make a mistake, will you squire?” “Sir, no sir.” The squire answered with a salute. “Good. Oh, she said goodbye to this girlish earth stallion, it's time to follow her.” Twilight was beginning to leave when AppleJack stopped her. “Twilight, wait a minute.” “Yes? What it is?” “Spike told me that ya don't have anything to eat in your kitchen.” “Yes that's right, we'll have to go shopping this afternoon.” “Don't ya worry about that, I will bring ya something for the week you're staying in Ponyville.” “Thank you Applejack, this is nice of you, I can pay you.” “Bah don't worry, what are friends for?” 'Friends...' With a nod, Twilight and Spike were leaving for their next destination. When they arrived at the fountain near the town hall, Spike turned toward the unicorn. “Hum Twilight, you have been silent since we left Sweet Apple Acres, is something on your mind?” “No, nothing important, I must have eaten too much pie. What is our next destination my brilliant assistant.” “Let's me see.” Spike took the list and read it. “ We going to see this Crimson, he's in charge of the security and also of the weather team for the festival, you need to give him the letter Spitfire gave you this morning before we leave.” “Oh yeah this letter with a seal, she didn't say what this was about, but this couldn't be bad since she was smiling when she give me this letter.” Both were talking and did not see the pony that they collided with. “houf, I am so sorry I didn't pay attention in front of me.” Twilight apologized immediately. “WHAAAAAAA.” This was the only answer the pink mare gave before she ran away. “She's crazy.” Twilight said while she turned toward Spike. “Are you alright?” “Yeah, everything is alright. Did you notice something about her?” “Apart her coat was pink that she has a pink robe, blue eyes and was a earth pony, I don't notice anything else.” “Right, let's go see Crimson.” Somewhere in Ponyville, Shining saw everything. “What this pink pony think she was doing, shoving my sister like that, she's lucky that I must stay hidden.” “Herm, Captain?” “What is it, Squire?” “You seem upset, sir.” “That is maybe because I am.” The time Shining finished to talk, Twilight was inside the militia's barracks and was knocking on Crimson's door. “Yeah, come in” Answered the old stallion. When Twilight stepped inside the room and saw that Crimson was exactly like Silver and Spitfire described him, strong, red coat, one red eye, a grey mane with some black lines and he was also wearing steel armor. “Well well well, what do we have here?” His voice was strong and commanded respect. “Another younger who wants to try their luck in the militia? What is your name? You do have a name, right?” “Yes sir Crimson, my name is Twilight Sparkle and I am...” “... The student of princess Celestia, I know. The mayor told me that you will be coming but I didn't think so early, the celebration is only in seven days, the pegasi have already taken their orders for the weather, do not worry and the security for the princess is top notch even for a little town like Ponyville, I will be her personal bodyguard for the day, trust me there is none better in all Equestria except for the captain of the Wonderbolts, Spitfire." “Yes, she told me about you...” “In good I hope.” Crimson joked with a little laugh. “... And she gave me this letter for you.” She sent him the letter with her magic. “Oh the seal of the Wonderbolts, it must be important.” He took the letter, removed the seal and started reading, the more he read, the more he looked preoccupied, and when he finished the letter he left the room without a word leaving a worried Twilight and Spike. “What happened, that doesn't look good Twilight, what di Spitfire write to make him like that?” “ I don't know but I hope that doesn't concern us.” Crimson came back five minutes later, he looked calmer. “Sorry about that Lady Twilight, I miss all of my duties. Would you like something to drink? I have some fine cider from the Apple family, I don't think Canterlot can match this? If you don't want alcohol I have apple juice.” “I will take an apple juice, and you Spike?” “You don't have some gems? No, I will take an apple juice too.” Crimson served his two guests and took a glass of cider. “So Lady Twilight, what do you think of Ponyville so far?” “That it is a nice quiet little town, very different from Canterlot.” “He he, I'm sure. What do you still have to do for the festival? You already meet those responsible for the banquet and me who is in charge of the weather and the security, what else you need to do, Lady Twilight?” “I still have to meet the pony in charge of the music, and I have to meet the pony that makes my robe because he must take my measurements, and I have to try her before the festival.” During the conversation Twilight was trying, and failed, not to look too much at the scar and the head band who covered the dead eye of Crimson. “That not very polite, Lady Twilight.” “I'm sorry Sir Crimson.” “Ha ha ha, I'm joking, that's fine. I'm proud of my scar, I have less than Silver.” “That true, Sir Silver didn’t want to have them removed.” “I'm sure he told them that's for him to remember his mistakes, right?” “How did you know?” “We, old warriors are all the same, too much pride sometime, ha ha ha.” The conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Come in.” The stallion answered. “You asked to see me, Crimson?” A raspy voice asked. The owner of the voice was a blue mare wearing leather armor but the detail who shocked the most Twilight was her mane which had all the colors of a rainbow. 'What a unusual color for a mane, I wonder what sir Crimson want with her?' “Let’s cut the presentation short. Lady Twilight, this is my second in command Rainbow Dash.” The mare in question answered with a nod. “Starting right now and for the next seven days, she will be your bodyguard.” “WHAT!” the two young mares screamed at the same time.