//------------------------------// // Ixnayposition // Story: Appledashery // by Just Essay //------------------------------// “He gave you a glowy what?!” Lancie cackled above the sound of whipping winds. “I'm part of the Lunar Code, now,” Rainbow said, gliding northwest over dry mountains and plateaus. “He put a glittering crescent moon thing on my hoof.” “What, do you have to stop eating pork now?” “I don't even eat pork as it is!” “Stop ruining my jokes!” “Mmmfnnngh...” Rainbow sighed. “Look, I saved the dude's life, and what he's just done is a major sign of trust.” “Oh yeah?” Lancie folded his granite arms from where he sat in her saddlebag. “Did he tell you anything about this supposed 'agent' he already sent after the shard?” “No.” “Did he tell you anything about the city he sent her to?” “Uh... n-no.” “Did he even tell you how many other members there are of the Lunar Code or where to find all these smexy moongates that could cut your flight time by ninety percent?!” “Lancie, the guy was barely able to breathe.” “But he certainly has no problem choking you!” Lancie slapped one of Rainbow's ears. “Ow! Wh-what was that for?!” “Sparky...” Lancie frowned. “...there's a name for a pony who works for someone without getting respect and without getting paid. It's called a slave, and these bat ponies just earned one through you!” She spat into the wind. “Crescent tattoo my sweet stone butt!” “We're all on the same team here, Lancie.” “Since when?!” “Since you fell apart and everypony and their brother wanted to get their hooves on the missing pieces!” Rainbow frowned. “We all want to keep Romulus, Don Canter, Aatxe, and all the other baddies from getting to the shards first!” “Yeah, well, now the Lunar Code is going to get to them!” “What makes you say that?” “Nox sent his agent in the field out ahead of you, didn't he?!” “First, his name is Noir. Second... she's not going to get them ahead of us.” “And if she does?” “We're faster than any other pony on this friggin' plane! I'm faster than any other pony on this friggin' plane!” “And if she does?” “I'm far more experienced in butt-kicking and name taking! That shard is as good as mine!” “And if she does?” Rainbow groaned, glancing back over her shoulder. “Lancie, what do you want from me?” “To know what you're going to do with this whole plan goes to Tartarus,” he said. “Just like every other opportunity you have to make magic with the shard at the end of the quest, only to blow it on some last second kerfluffle or bleeding heart.” Lancie shrunk into her bag with a sigh. “If you ask me, this agent grabbing it ahead of you is just... y'know... saving us half the trouble.” “Lancie, I'm going to get the shard for you!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Don't worry!” “Hrmmmfff... You talk left and right about how you wanna save your precious Applejack, but you don't do a very good job of sticking to that promise, either... now do you?!” “You need to have a bit more faith in me, dude!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “I'm going to get the shard! I wouldn't be flying out here if I didn't!” “And if Miss Mystery gets it before you?” Rainbow shrugged. “I'll... uh... y'know...” “No, I don't know.” “Y'know...” Lancie frowned. “WHAT?” “Get her... t-to see the bright picture... and... h-hoof it over to me.” “Even with these Lunar Codex guys now breathing down your neck?” “Hey, I helped Zecora save Noir's life!” Rainbow sputtered. “The dude and his organization owe me!” “Hah!” Lancie grinned with stone teeth. “Now that's more like it.” “Thanks, by the way.” “Harumph... for what?” Rainbow smirked into the heavy winds. “For showing—ever so slightly—that you give a crap about me.” “Pfft. I do not. All I want is the stones and all you want is a blonde mane. We're both working toward the same objective.” “Mmmmmhmmmm...” “Don't 'Mmmmmhmmmm' me!” Lancie barked. “Just keep flying and looking out for whatshername!” He blinked. “Erm... j-just how are you going to find whatshername anyways?” “When I get close to her, my fetlock is going to shine and her fetlock is going to shine.” “Wow. That simple. Amazing.” “Don't complain to me. I don't make the rules.” “No, 'you just break them.'” Lancie reached into her saddlebag and pulled out some sunglasses. “Want these to slide down your face now?” He grinned. “Get back in the bag,” Rainbow muttered. “Meh. You're no fun.”