//------------------------------// // Chapter Three // Story: Equestria Special Forces // by Miniscule Literary //------------------------------// "There I was, stuck between three gigantic tree monsters!" Rainbow Dash began, watching the patrons of the pub gape and smile at her tale. "My friends were frozen in fear, and in serious need of my help!" The pegasus took a large gulp of her cider and continued. "Standing at least sixty feet tall, the monsters were like nothing I had ever seen before! Horrible fanged faces carved on their tree bodies, they swung an endless amount of branches - their arms and legs, by the way - in my direction. For every one that I smashed," the pegasus paused to demonstrate, bashing a nearby table with her hoof, "two more would take its place!" Her audience reacted instantly, some gasping, others murmuring amongst themselves. All of them were thoroughly enjoying her story. Rarity, seated a few tables down, however, was not. She wasn't cruel enough to insist the story was false - not that any of them would believe her to begin with - and thus was forced to endure the pegasus' ridiculous tale in silence, with only her mug of cider to keep her company. "Oh, oh!" Pinkie shouted excitedly, popping up next to Rainbow Dash at the center of the crowd. "What about the part where I fought those jaguars?" "Later, Pinkie," Rainbow Dash replied hastily, trying to maintain the illusion of her story despite the interruption. "Anyway, the odds were definitely stacked against us, but in the end, I discovered a serious flaw in the enemy and defeated them all!" The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, many congratulating the pegasus with additional helpings of cider. Pinkie only nodded, a wide grin across her face. "Maybe next you can tell them about the Grue," Rarity said as she passed, making her way to the exit. Rainbow Dash instantly frowned at the thought, and the expression deepened when she heard the shouts of approval from her audience. Rarity left the pub with a smirk, the demanding roar of the crowd music to her ears. For once, Rarity did not want to be the center of attention. Rainbow and Pinkie enjoyed basking in the glory of their achievements - usually in pubs and other such places - but Rarity did not share this love. Sure, she was the first to tell a Canterlot noble about her position as Princess Celestia's hoof chosen subject, but she did not particularly enjoy the company of the ponies that her colleagues tended to associate with. No, she would reserve tales of her adventures for worthier ears. For now, though, the sound of a warm bed in a nice quiet room sounded quite pleasant to the unicorn. Meanwhile, in the market district of Canterlot, Applejack was hard at work turning a large supply of apples into a wide assortment of delicious treats. These weren't just any apples either; these were Sweet Apple Acre apples, delivered straight from the farm she had left behind. The store was another condition of the earth pony's involvement. In order to help her family's business while she was gone, she had requested a Canterlot location from which to sell her family's crops. Now, whenever she was in town, she would help the staff there as best she could to make and sell apple products. Although it meant hard work as soon as she arrived, it was almost therapeutic for Applejack. Ever since she left the family farm, she felt as though she had betrayed the ones she loved, even if they were arguably better off now than before, thanks to the conditions she had set in place. Helping out at their Canterlot location was her way of repentance for her crimes, and eased the pain of leaving her family. It also gave her a sense of normality; dicing apples was much more normal to her than fighting monsters or traveling to the ends of Equestria. "Hi Applejack." The earth pony snapped out of her trance at the sound and looked up. Immediately she was greeted by the smiling face of Fluttershy, who had just entered the shop. "Howdy Fluttershy," she greeted with a weak smile, her exhaustion quite clear. "How's Canterlot been treatin' ya?" "Oh, its not so bad these days," the pegasus replied. The two fell silent for a few moments as Applejack struggled to lift a bag of apples onto the counter. "Do you need any help?" "I appreciate the offer, but I've got it covered." Fluttershy gave her a strange look. "No, really. I've got a few more things to do, then I'm off to bed." "Oh, alright," the pegasus said, smiling. After inspecting the delicious treats Applejack and her staff had prepared for a few minutes, Fluttershy was eventually joined by her friend, and the two left the shop with sleep in mind. "I'm not sure I'll ever get used to this place," Applejack said as they made their way through the city. "Just too big for my likin'." "Its a scary place at first, especially when you're alone," Fluttershy agreed with a nod. "But its got a lot to offer." "And the ponies." Applejack rolled her eyes. "They wouldn't know hard work if it bit 'em on the nose. I'm surprised the shop is sellin' as much as it is." "Who knows Applejack, you might be changing their way of life. Wouldn't that be something? 'The apples that changed Canterlot.'" "Heh, you sure do have one heck of an imagination, Fluttershy." By now, the two had entered the palace district. Their quarters were held not far from the palace itself, and shared much of the larger building's charm and extravagance. The rooms were reserved for "royal guests", which was quite the honor to ponies from such simple upbringings. After ascending the staircase to the guest quarters themselves, they found a few doors already open. "Rarity?" Applejack called as she poked her head in one of the rooms. "Back already?" "Unfortunately," the unicorn responded, her attention elsewhere. "What do ya got there?" the earth pony inquired, taking a few steps into the room. Rarity had a set of gleaming golden armor suspended in front of her by a field of her magic. She was making bizarre faces at it, as if unsure whether or not she approved. "I found this in a chest in my room when I arrived. It had the royal seal on it." "Princess Celestia wants us to wear that?" Fluttershy's meek voice came from behind them. Applejack only just noticed the pegasus peeking into the room from the doorway. "I sure hope not," Applejack said, making a face at the armor. "Did they really have to make it so bright?" "I sincerely hope you're joking," Rarity retorted, giving Applejack a serious look as she attempted to fit the chest piece over her head. "This is not just gold coloring, Applejack. This is real gold! A thin layer, at least, over the rest of the plating." The unicorn adjusted the tiara on her head, took a deep breath, and turned dramatically toward them. "How do I look? I may have to alter my mane to fit the style, but-" "I-is that what I think it is?" Fluttershy asked tentatively, pointing at Rarity's chest with a hoof. Held at the center of the armor was a large purple diamond: the symbol of the Element of Generosity. "The Princess wants us to use the Elements?" Applejack thought aloud, confused. "Isn't that...over doing it a little?" "Not quite." The new voice caused all three ponies to jolt. Fluttershy nearly collided face first with the floor as she scrambled to get out of the way. "Oh, Twilight..." they heard the pegasus say, and relaxed. "You scared me." "Sorry," the unicorn apologized as she trotted into the room. Fluttershy assumed her position near the doorway on the opposite side. "I couldn't help but over hear your conversation about the armor. I'm afraid the Princess wants us to wear it from now on, when we're on assignment." Although Applejack and Fluttershy looked a bit disappointed, Rarity, meanwhile, was elated, prancing about the room while wearing her gleaming gift. "Surely Princess Celestia doesn't want us to use these on a bunch of varmints?" Applejack asked, gesturing with a hoof at the gem on Rarity's chest. Twilight shook her head. "It wouldn't have much of an effect anyway," she explained. "The Elements are designed to fight evil. Misguided creatures, desperate, thieving ponies: these are not evil." "I still don't understand why we need armor. We've been doin' just fine without it!" "The Princess is concerned with our safety. She believes the armor will help, and I agree with her," Twilight replied with a shrug. "Try it on. The Princess says that its very light, and very strong." "Oh, it is! I barely feel the weight!" Rarity interrupted as she pranced past. "I'll deal with it tomorrow," Applejack conceded, waving a hoof at them as she turned to leave the room. "I'm goin' to bed. Good night." The ponies said their good nights to their departing friend, before Twilight noticed something. "Where are Rainbow and Pinkie?" "Spinning a web of lies a few blocks from here that will surely come back to bite them," Rarity replied with a smug smirk, admiring herself in a nearby mirror. "I trust they will be back by nightfall." "I guess I'll be heading to bed, then." "Not going to tell us about the next assignment?" Rarity asked, finally looking away from her reflection. "In the morning, when we're all here," Twilight assured her with a wide yawn. "Good night everypony."