Chapter seven: Art Appreciation
“Ruffians? What do you mean by Ruffians?” Rarity looked up to the red unicorn with a look a scorn on her face.
“I mean we do not allow brutish Pegasi and worthless Earth Ponies in our grand village. They would soil our environment, ruin our land, and disgrace our very presence.” The unicorn said with a smug look, his voice squeaking at points.
Rainbow Dash started to fly to his face, “WHO THE BUCK ARE YOU CALLING WORTHLESS!?” Her assault was stopped by Rarity’s magic around her tail.
“Oh well you see, kind sir, these ponies behind me are my entourage and are very important to my business here.” Rarity said with a sly smile.
“Business? What business?” The Unicorn looked down at her and then back to her friends.
“Why my clothing business, of course. You see I was thinking of opening up a section of my fabulous shop here and I needed to get my team here to make sure it is profitable enough. This colorful girl here is my personal bodyguard.” She said, pointing to Rainbow dash and then moved her hoof to Applejack, “This is my personal gardener, and she is my animal caretaker,” She points to Fluttershy who hides behind her pink hair.
“AND I AM HER PERSONAL PARTY PLANNER!!!!!!” Pinkie said hopping up to the guy and smiling.
“Quite, so as you can see I can not hope to do anything without these girls at all. So maybe you could please see your way to let us in?” The unicorn then batted her eyelashes several times in a seductive manner. At the same time she looked to Rainbow Dash and Applejack for a much more uncouth and painful ‘plan B’.
The unicorn, enamoured by Rarity’s looks sighed, “Ok you can come on in, but you better keep those girls on a leash. We don’t take too kindly to their kind in this royal kingdom.”
“I’ll say it’s a royal…a royal” Rainbow dash was about to finish her sentence but was interrupted by Applejack.
“Keep it to yourself, little bodyguard.” Applejack said as she walked in, leading the girls to a hidden alleyway. “So what’s the plan then?”
“I thought we, could just…ask them nicely where the stone is.” Fluttershy said in a quiet tone.
“ Naw, that’s impossible, you heard what that stallion said. They don’t like us earth and pegasi around these parts so it will be impossible to get any info from them unless we have Rarity get the info. We need a disguise so we can cover more ground.”
“OH, I have an idea!” Pinkie said as she leapt up and took out several party hats, one for each. “Here we are.” Moving at a speed normally reserved for roadrunners she put on the party hats for each pony.
“Oh, these are very nice Pinkie but, if you don’t mind me asking, what are they for.” Fluttershy asked as she adjusted her buttery yellow one.
“ Well, you see. With a little work and a little magic from Twi…” Pinkie stopped herself, and looked at the purple party hat, she shook her sadness out “Rarity, we’ll be unicorns!” Pinkie said happily.
With a smile, Rarity used her illusion magic on the two pegasi, giving them the illusion of being wingless. “There, now Rainbow dash it’s a very weak illusion spell so no flying at all.
“Got it.” Dash grumbled, feeling a little down about being grounded.
“Now, lets split up. Fluttershy, Rainbow dash you guys head to the north and east. Rairty, you can take the business district, I’ll take the south and Pinkie…is already gone isn’t she?” Applejack said as she looked around for the pink one. “Lets all meet up back at that restaurant over there.” She then pointed to a very nice bistro across from where they stood.
A few hours had passed, the sun beginning its slow descent into the horizon. Applejack sat at the table in the bistro, drinking a bit of ice tea as she waited for the arrival of her friends. She looked into the bag next to her, feeling its contents to make sure that everything was there, looking carefully at a small cup of, "Cider!"
"Now hold on Rainbow, this is just to help me wake up and get going on this trip, not for you," Applejack said, " So, did ya find anything interesting?"
“Nothing, everytime I asked about this Fraternity Stone, these guys trembled in fear.” Dash said, ordering a drink.
“You guys kept running into scaredy cats as well?” Pinkie said, hopping to them followed by Fluttershy.
“I didn’t get much either, sorry.” Fluttershy said, a little bit down.
“AND I WILL CELESTIA DAMNED BEFORE I WERE TO BUY ANY OF YOUR PRODUCTS EVER AGAIN, YOU TARTARUS MISCREANT!!!!!!” Rarity yelled as she walked into the group, sitting with the others with a scowl.
“Ah am going to take a stab here and say you didn’t find anything?” Applejack asked as she took a sip of her drink.
“Oh, I found a lot of things, beauty parlors are great places to pick up gossip and stories you know. What I am upset over is the outrageous prices that they expect me to pay for their cheap knock off garbage. I swear I have NEVER seen such worse thieves in my entire life!” Rarity said as two red-headed unicorns walked by in the background, singing to themselves.. “Apparently, the Fraternity Stone is being shown in a museum in the center of town for the week. Aaaand, guess who found out where the least guarded position is?” A smile gleamed across Rarity’s face
Applejack looked shocked, “Whoa there! Who said anything about breaking in and stealing the thang?”
“Well, its not like we can go in and say that we need the gem for our friend who is stuck in an alternate dimension.” Dash said, drinking her soda.
“I know, its just that I don’t take kindly to the idea of stealing, that’s all.” Applejack looked at the others wanting to be understood.
“Well, will it make you feel better about sneaking in and stealing things if we were to go all spy like with really cool spy suits and stuff like that?” Pinkie went to Applejack, asking happily.
“Spy suits? where in tarnation would ya get-” In a few hours, Applejack and the others were in the museum with color appropriate spy suits “Spy suits.”
“I have always wanted a chance to bring these out into action.” Rarity said, a smile across her face as they sneaked across the building. The place was quiet, with nary a sound to be heard as the shadows of the various exhibits highlighted the area. The girls walked silently through each exhibit, looking through each dark corridor to make sure that they didn’t miss a thing. As they neared the center of the museum, the object of their desire lay before their eyes. Within a glass case, was a green hand on a pedestal. The stone seemed to have been trying to grasp something else, like another hand should be there. Below it was a few markings, symbols of unknown origin.
“Oh darn it all!” Rarity quietly exclaimed.
“What, there it is! What’s the problem?” Dash asked.
“ Rainbow, dear, I am a dressmaker who specializes in gems and I can tell you that is a fake stone if I have ever saw one.” Rarity said as Pinkie went to the plaque in front of the stone.
“It also says it right here.” Pinkie said as she began to read the rest, “This is a replica of the Fraternity Stone used by a wandering unicorn. He had appeared at this spot randomly, screaming about his lost brother and how he is at the wrong time. Clapping his hooves he unleashed a swath of destruction and ran off to the north far away from here.”
“His…brother? What do you think it meant?” Fluttershy asked.
“ I don’t know, and frankly I am just glad to be out of this place. Come on girls, lets go.” Dash said as she flew to the door to open it.
“But Dash, why such a rush?” Fluttershy asked as she followed the others.
“Because I might have painted, ‘Unicorns drool pegasi rule equestria forever’ on a lot of the buildings and ruined some exhibits.” Dash said as she flew as fast as she could, the girls taking a few moments to take it in and run with her.
Rarity looked offended,”Excuse me, I happen to be a unicorn. Also you forgot to capitalize ‘Equestria,’ among other things.”
“Don’t care!” Rainbow ran off.
Twilight opened the door slowly, quickly blinded by the light from within as she is hit by a yell of, “ SURPRISE!!!”
“What, but how did you…?” Twilight looked at the presents before her, as well as the big cake before her, “ I never told you guys when my birthday was. How did you figure it out?”
“Well, duh! I know everypony in Ponyville, and I make it my business to know when its your birthday.” Pinkie said as she hopped to Twilight with a big grin on her face. Putting a cap on Twilight she gives her a birthday hug. “Oh that’s not all, I also brought some extra guests!”
Twilight looked over Pinkie’s shoulder to see a light gray mare, standing next to a dark blue stallion. “MOMMY, DADDY!”
“Mommy, daddy?” Rainbow Dash chuckled, a smirk on her face.
“Is there a problem Dash?” Rarity, looking a little annoyed at Dash’s laughter.
“I just find it cute that the egghead calls them such adorable names.” Dash said as she took a quick drink of punch.
The party continued on, the ponies enjoying the fun and laughter of the night. Suddenly, a knock is heard at the door, “Open up, it’s the Royal Guard!”
The ponies looked shocked at the announcement of guards at the door. Twilight walked slowly to the door, trying her best to think of what she had done wrong. Opening the door carefully, she saw before her a white stallion with a blue mane, “ BIG BROTHER!!!!!” Twilight yelled as she glomped
“Oof!” Ed grunted as the sleeping Twilight hugged the blonde Alchemist. “Morning to you too Twi, glad to see you so peppy.”
As she realized who she was glomping, she released her gripped and smiled awkwardly, “Oh, sorry. I was just dreaming about my friends and my big brother.”
“I can see that.” Ed then handed Twilight her bags and then nodded to the door. “We are at our stop, lets go.”
The capital of Xing was as big and crowded as one might expect within the bounds of a capital city, especially within the confines of the train station as people were saying their goodbyes or having grateful reunions with the ones that they love the most. This huge crowd of people seemed to block the sight of two individuals as they walked through the station, “ Now he said that he would be on Central Train from 8:00.” The young man said he looked through the crowd, putting his hand to his caramel colored hair.
“ Maybe he got sidetracked and got his train hijacked again.” Said the girl looking to the young man, holding a small panda to her chest.
“Oh come on May, like that would happen a fourth time. I think they have finally learned that just because he is no longer a state alchemist, he is no small threat.” The young alchemist said with a smile.
“ Who are you calling small…little brother?” Ed said, walking up right behind one of the most important things in his life and putting a hand on his shoulder.
“ BROTHER!!!!!” Al yelled as he turned around and leaped into his brother, hugging him tightly as though he was afraid the older brother would disappear.
“Al, its been too long.” Ed said, holding back the tears of happiness as he kept the younger brother in his arms,”Also, I think you’re choking me.”
“Brother” The little alchemist pulled away a little to look into Ed’s golden eyes. “Its only been three months at the most.” A chuckle coming from his mouth.
“Too long if you ask me.” Breaking away from the embrace, Ed looked to Al’s companion, “and hello May”
“ Hello Ed, who is the girl behind you?” The xing woman asked, pointing to Twilight.
“ Hello, my name is Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight said, holding out her hand to May and Al.
“Please to meet you.” May said, cheerfully shaking Twilight’s hand.
“Twilight…Sparkle?” Al looked to his big brother after looking at Twilight’s hair. He walked over to Ed and whispered, “Big brother, she isn’t one of those mary sue girls that sometimes try to seduce you or follow you around is she?”
“What? NO! She is my student.” Ed said, trying to defend her.
“Oh I see.” Al said as he helped with some of the bags. “ So what bring you and her here today.”
“ I am looking for something very important to me.” Twilight said as she and the others began to walk out of the station. Out of the corner of her eye she noted a blonde woman, walking with her young daughter and a man in a brown coat with a red bowtie. The man looked at Twlight and gave a smirk as they walked towards a blue box, “Doctor, Derpy, DINKY?”
“What is that?” Al asked, looking at Twilight. She then explained her predicament, the things that she had been through so far, and the story behind the Fraternity Stone.
“...You are really a unicorn?” Al asked with a wide grin as they all sat down at a café to talk.
Ed scoffed at the idea, never one to believe in magic or magical creature, “Al, she is not a unicorn. She just thinks she is, probably due to the trauma of human transmutation.” Twilight, meanwhile, just shook her head, she had given up in trying to convince her mentor that her story is true.
“Ed, why cant you be a little more open to the world of magic?” Al said looking at his big brother.
“Look, we’ve been through this, magic is just illusions created to explain things that science can’t. Science is real. Unicorns, dragons, pegasi, griffons, and sea serpents are not. What I want to know more about is that stone and how it can help her get home.” Ed said,looking down at his drink.
“ I have never heard of this Fraternity Stone before until now…maybe its something like the Philosopher Stone?” May asked, looking at the two brothers.
“No, Ed told me about this stone and the Fraternity Stone looked nothing like it.” Twilight said, noticing some soldiers walking up to the four.
“Elric! By the order of the emperor you and your party are to see him immediately.” Said one of the guards as Twilight looked up, her hands ready to clap to help Ed and Al at a moments notice.
“Oh brother, what does that idiot want now?” Ed said as he got up with his friends and walked off to the castle.
“Idiot?” Twilight asked as she walked.
“You’ll see,” Al answered back.
As they walked to the castle, Twilight noticed a family of three people. hawking some apples. Asking for the chance to get some snacks she walked to the three. Heading to the stall, she watched as a hyper little 12 year old redhead ran up to her, “ HOWDY! Welcome to ‘Sweet Apple Apples’ the sweetest apples around the whole of Xing! We have all sorts of apples: Golden Delicious, Red Delicious…” She exclaimed with a bounce of energy not seen in any normal person.
“Bloom! What have ah been telling you about hasselin the customers?” A blonde woman came from the back of the stall, adjusting her hat and then placing a hand on her sister’s shoulder, “Sorry about that, first day helpin’ and she is all excited about it. Hope she wasn’t bothernin’ ya none.”
“Oh no, she wasn’t.” Twilight said, smiling as she looked at the young woman before her and the big young blonde man behind her. “ I was just thinking about buying a few apples, maybe some Granny Smith ones.”
“Sure thang sugar. Hey Mac, get this lady a bag of granny smiths and some Mactintosh while you’re at it.” The young woman yelled as she noticed some cash in her hand already.
“What?”
“Oh, I just figured on the price by myself. I’m not wrong am I miss…” Twilight asked, already guessing at the name.
“Jaquline, but everyone here calls me AJ.” Said the human version of Applejack as she handed Twilight a bag of apples.
“Of course it is, why wouldn’t it.” Twilight thought to herself as she took the bag of apples from the farmer and waved goodbye, “ Thank you so much. And Bloom, try not to bother your sister too much.” With that she walked away, happy to see another alternate version of her old friend.
The inside of the palace was like walking into a dojo, with only a few windows to light the room. Alongside the throne room was tapestries and pictures highlighting the nature and skill of the king and on the throne was the emperor. The emperor looks down at the four who stood before him, noting that the young woman with the purple hair had the decency to bow. Rising he brushed aside his pony tail, “ Edward Elric, the former Fullmetal alchemist.” He then somersaulted off the throne and landed before Ed. Happily he embraced his old friend tightly with a laugh“How has it been, my old friend?”
“Pretty good.” Ed squeezed out, then noticed the rather masculine male guard next to the throne, he turned to the king, “ Where is Lan Fan?”
“She is busy taking care of the future prince for the moment.” Ling said as he walked to the throne.
“Is she going to be ok with that responsibility?” Ed asked.
“She should,” Ling said with a smile, “He is her son after all.” At this Ed could only smile in congratulations.
“So, why did you call us here, your majesty?” Said Twilight, bowing in respect.
“Ed, you can tell your new friend here to stand up. We’re all friends here!” Ling said.
“Thank you, your majesty.” The young lady rose looking at Ling.
“Cute kid you have there, what’s her name?”
“Twilight Sparkle sir.”
“T…Twilight Sparkle? Ed, she isn’t one of those Mary sue girls you told me about, the ones that keep bothering you?”
“NO! Nothing like that.” Ed said quickly, trying to reassure everyone in the room. “She’s my student actually.”
“Your student?” Ling lets out a small chuckle, “Never thought you to be a teacher type Ed. I guess we can talk about this more later, right now I want to talk to you guys about why I called you here. You see, for the past few days people have been seeing some weird things popping in and out of around here.”
“Weird? Like what?” Al asked.
“People have been popping in and out of existence, most of the time they look confused and weirded out by what they see and hear. Other times, they act like they don’t even know what a human is or how to walk. Then there are the creatures that pop up, like phoenixes and dragons. The thing is, everytime I try to send in people to investigate, the creatures and people disappear. When I heard that you were in town, Ed and I knew of your tendency to get involved with weird things like this…I thought you might know something.”
Ed shook his head, “ Sorry, but I don’t; however, this sounds like a similar incident that happened to me and my student when we came here.”
“Hmmm?” Ling leaned forward, looking intrigued,”Let me guess:Train?
“Yes, your majesty, me and my teacher were traveling on a train earlier when we were attacked by an Ursa Minor from my world. After the fight, he just vanished.” Twilight said.
“Wait, your world?” Asked Ling.
“Yeah, it’s why we came here. Apparently, she thinks herself to be an unicorn” Ed said, putting an air of disbelief on the word ‘unicorn’, and she came from an alternate dimension where some of these creatures exists. We’re looking for something called the Fraternity Stone that could help her get her home.” Ed then pulled out a picture of a hand grasping for another, with a series of Alchemical symbols on the bottom. “It looked something like this.”
“I am sorry Ed, but if something like that was around here-I haven’t seen it.” Said Ling, looking a bit down.
“But I have!” May said, walking up to Ling and Ed producing a newspaper. “Look at this.” One the newspaper was the image of a flag with the stone on it and below it was an article that read, ‘Europia open to trade with Ameristris: Trade negotiations start in a few weeks.’
“But why would the stone be on a country’s flag?” Asked Twilight.
“That’s what we are going to find out, Twilight.” Ed said as he took the paper and put it into his pocket, “Nice talking to ya, Ling. See you later.” And with that, Ed walked out with Twilight in tow.
The quartet began to walk to a nearby hotel so they can wait for the next train ride in the morning, “So big brother, when is the boat ride?” Al asked.
“You’re coming with?” Ed asked, a little more surprised and happy.
“Yep, May said she will stay here and do some research and I am going with you to Europia.” Al said with a smile, “Its been too long since we went on an adventure together.”
“ All right, Al. But first I am heading to Resembool.” Said Ed as they went and got a few rooms, Twilight looking at a couple of ponies, one, a musician, talking to her friend with a set of headphones.
“ Why’s that, Ed?” Al asked.
“ I need to get home and have Winry look at my leg. Its been on the fritz ever since the bear fight and she will kill me if I don’t get it looked at. Besides, I haven’t been home in a month and they miss me.” Ed said as he went to his room.
“Oh, I see. Well, night Ed. Don’t stay up too late again.” Al said as he went into his room alongside Mei.
“The same goes for you, little brother.” Ed said as he turned to Twilight, who had some books in her arms, “And you get to bed too. No need to stay up studying late.” Ed said.
“ Please, Ed. I have pulled several all nighters before, I can handle it.” Twilight said with a smile.
“ But you have also been up since morning, BED!” Ed said, almost as if he was talking to his little sister.
In response, Twilight nodded,”Fine,” and walked into the room, closing the door. Then she pulled out a book and began to read by the candle light. However, it wasn’t long till Twilight began to feel the pangs of sleep come over her. Drowsiness began to come to her eyes and she began to feel more and more tired, “No…I need to finish this last page.” Twilight said as she stood up and turned to the bed.
“No, you need to sleep. Now, do you want me to carry you?” Twilight could hear Shining Armor say to her as she led to the bed, pulling back the covers.
“N…no, I can do it myself.” Twilight said as she got in, “But you could tuck me in.”
“All right, Cadence care to help?” Twilight could see in her head, Shining and a pink Alicorn tucking her in, placing her stuffed toy in her hooves.
“Ok, now kiss me goodnight.” Twilight said, he memories helping her to sleep. “Now kiss the princess.”
In her thoughts, she could see Shining and Cadence blush before Shining gave a quick peck on the cheek. Twilight chuckled to herself as she began to fall asleep.
A few hours later, Twilight could hear noises from the downstairs. Walking out of her room and down the steps, she could see Ed hunched over some books and reading intently, “Hmph…he can be just as bad as me.” Twilight said with a smile as she walked up the stairs, barely hearing the conversation below.
“ Dad, I am not tired, I need to study these books.” Ed said, his mind going back to when he was a young boy.
“You need sleep, Ed. Just like Al does.” An older man said, his golden hair and eyes making him look like an older Ed.
“Nu uh. Al is staying awake just like I am!.” The younger Ed said as he pointed to a blue bundle, carrying a small baby inside, snoring loudly. “TRAITOR!”
“Now you see, ED? You both need to go to bed so you can study harder tomorrow.” Hohenhiem said as he walked to Ed.
“Ok…but can I carry Al to bed?” Ed Said as he picked up Al and followed his father.
“Sure Ed. Now, go to sleep, my little Alchemist.” Hohenheim said as a ghostly hand reached over tucked Ed’s jacket in over his shoulders, kissing Ed’s forehead as Ed fell asleep.
“Night, dad.”
rpglover97:
Rifle
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Ra:Oh ho ho, that's private.
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Later...
RU1:Why did you let that mare in?
RU2:She was hawt!
RU3:I knew we should've gotten a mare or a gay stallion as a guard....
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PP:Nooo, I'm here!...or am I?
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RD:A coupon for the Dairy Queen?
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90's kid:DUUUUUUUDDDE!
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She had come back after a day of kicking plot as Mare-Do Well
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RU4:Don't you mean Majesty damned?
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Ra:Whatever!
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AJ:are they sure showing an item of unbelievable power in a normal everyday museum is a good idea?
Ra: Discord's statue was shown for all to see in a garden.
AJ: Good point.
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PP:That was so worth the three hour wait.
rpglover97:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1ksukXN7jA
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Rarity-Bones: Darn it, Rainbow, I'm a Dressmaker, not a Spy!
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PP:He's looking for his brother, what do you think?
Fl: he's looking for his pet bunny named Brother?
RD:I think she hung around Pinkie too long...
rpglover97:
Congratulations Rainbow, you may have just caused an international incident!
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PP:I'm Pinkie Pie, I KNOW.
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TS:Sweet, I can buy that Sniper Rifle from that Vendortron now!
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RD: oh, shoot, they know about my assassination!
PP:They know about my black market cupcakes!
Ra:They know about the Pegasus Crown Jewels!
AJ:They know about me being a Mob Boss!
Fl:They know about the animals!
TS:They know about my plans to dominate all of the multiverse!
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May:I thought you were taken?
Ed:Consarn it!
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Al:Mind Control!
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Must be from south Xing
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TS:Why does every single man feel like hitting on me?
Lg:Trust me, that was a compliment. If I was hitting on you, the wife would know...
rpglover97:
I was only kidding about the 300 years part!
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Ed:And you didn't show us this before because?
Ma:You didn't(Insert joke here)
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Ed:I also want to give the readers diabetes
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And a mallet
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Footenote:LEVEL UP
New Perk: B.B.B.F.F.: You now can an extra +3 to all stats when a family member is near.