//------------------------------//
// Five: The Sun Sparkled Pony 
// Story: Captain Equestria: The First Avenger 
// by Plumage 
//------------------------------//

"Y'all got enough?"
Pipsqueak jabbed a needle into Applebloom's forearm again.
"The secret to an army of supersoldiers lies in your DNA. I don't think we can get enough."
After taking a blood sample out of Applebloom's arm, he handed it to the nurse waiting beside him. The nurse gave a searching look to the both of them and trotted out of the door.
"What's with her?" Pipsqueak muttered.
"Ah dunno, but Ah think Ah know her from somewhere."
"Where?"
"Ah think her coltfriend  beat me up at one point."
Pipsqueak looked at her. "You have something against running away?"
"No, it's just, well, if ya start runnin' they won't let y'all stop. If ya fight back then ya might have a chance."
She smiled awkwardly. "I jes' dunno why y'all're here in a research facility when y'all could be out on front lines."
Pipsqueak looked at her, mildly amused and interested.
"Ah mean, y'all are strong lookin' and tough...and...and..."
"You have no idea how to talk to colts, do you?"
"Longest conversation I've had with one." She blushed and looked down. "Colts aren't exactly lining up tah dance with me."
"Well, I'm sure they would now. Why don't you just hook up with some fangirl?"
Applebloom thought for a second. "Ah dunno. Ah guess Ah'm waiting for the right partner."

"Attention!"
The ponies working on the submarine stood up tall. Stiff.
"Magnum, what're you making of this?"
Magnum Belle looked at the submarine and narrowed his eyes.
"I don't know, Dash. I've never seen anything like it before. Our technology isn't even close to this kind of sub. I -"
Dash narrowed her eyes. "Then who does?"
"HYDRA." The voice sounded through the chamber and Applebloom trotted down the stairs, Pipsqueak at her side.
" 'Scuse me?" Magnum asked.
"HYDRA has this power. It's a Hooftler research facility. A pony call'd Chrysalis runs the place an' conducts thah research." Applebloom said.
Dash looked at the three of them and said to a soldier standing by, "I want two hundred plus soldiers ready to fight. We need to get out on enemy lines. We -"
"Sir, if y'all are getting troops out onto the battlefront Ah want to go with them." 
The blue pegasus turned to Applebloom.
"You are an experiment. You know what? Take this kid back to the labs."
"Hey - !"
Dash looked Applebloom in the eye and said, "I asked for an army and all I got was you. And you are not enough."
Dash walked away, organizing the army.

A colt in a suit walked to Applebloom's side.
"She's a troll, there isn't any moving her. But I think you could do something better than a lab rat." The colt seemed serious. "Applebloom, do you want to work on the toughest battlefield in the war?"
Applebloom looked at him and said, "That's all Ah want, sir."
"Well then." The colt smiled. "You just got a promotion."




Who’s strong and brave, here to save the Equestrian Way?

Who vows to fight like a god for what’s right night and day?

Who will campaign door-to-door for Equestria,

Carry the flag shore to shore for Equestria,

From Fillydelphia to Manehatten,

The Sun Sparkled Pony with a Plan!

The chorus girls danced across the stage as Applebloom walked out to the spot she had rehearsed a million times before. She didn't even need her cue cards that were stapled to the back of her shield anymore.


"Who's ready to sock Hooftler on the jaw with me?"
The crowd maintained a defiant silence.
"I need a volunteer."
"I already have volunteered, how d'ya think I got here?" somepony said.
Laughs from the crowd of soldiers.
"Bring back the girls!"
"Yeah!"
"Ah think they only know thah one song, but Ah'll see what Ah can do."
"You do that, sweetheart."
Applebloom turned to leave the stage, but somepony called, "Nice boots Tinkerbell!"
Applebloom took a deep breath and turned back to the podium, but someone threw a tomato at her. It hit her shield, but now others were throwing food as well. Applebloom walked quickly off the stage as the chorus girls walked back on again, waving at the soldiers.