The Crusaders were gathered just after breakfast. Sweetie clopped the floor lightly. "I move that we go now."
Sunflower tilted his head. "I thought you were enjoying your break?" The other Crusaders nodded their head in agreement with Sunflower.
"I was," said Sweetie, "But what I really want is to get home. It's like bad-tasting medicine. The sooner we get it over with, the sooner we're done. Besides, I heard Twilight talking about Viljatown. It's a nice place! I'd much rather be waiting there, even if we have to get past nasty monsters and things."
Apple Bloom shrugged. "Can't rightly fault the argument. Ah had lots of fun yesterday, but ah could be ready to go by tomorrow if that's what ya want?"
Scootaloo thrust a hoof up. "I was always ready! Let's go find AJ and tell her."
Sunflower bounced up to his paws. "I saw her throwing horseshoes outside." And he was off, girls now far behind.
They found Applejack just releasing a shoe to land around the post with a grin. The butler was her playing partner, to their surprise. "Excellent shot, madame, but don't count me out yet." He started sizing up his shot, swinging the shoe back and forth slowly. The shoe sailed through the air and hit the post, landing close, but not was well as Applejack's had.
Apple Bloom clopped her hooves appreciatively. "Good job, sis. Got a moment?"
Applejack looked to the small mob that had formed for her and raised a brow at them all. "Are y'all about ta ask permission for somethin' dangerous?"
"Sort of." Sweetie Belle brushed her hooves over the ground. "We decided we should really get moving, instead of laying around. The sooner we get to Viljatown, the sooner we can get home."
Applejack nodded. "Well... Y'all in agreement on this?" They all nodded. "Alrighty then. Can't say ah blame ya for wantin' ta get home. Mighty eager ta see the orchard again mahself. Ah'll talk to Willow and get back to y'all." She turned to the butler and tipped her hat. "Thanks fer the game, but ya see ah got business ta deal with."
The butler gave a formal bow. "The business of a proper lady is never truly complete, madame." Then he was off on whatever chore called to him.
Applejack moved off to find Willow, and the Crusaders trailed right after her. "What? Go on! Ya got at least today off. No reason ta follow me around ah reckon."
Sweetie Belle smiled. "What if we like your company and want to be with you today?"
Applejack paused. "Well, ah guess there's... nothing wrong with that." She smiled gently. "Sorry for getting short." She lowered to the ground. "Who wants a lift?" Apple Bloom quickly took her rightful place as rider of her sister, and they were off. "Ya know, ya got heavier? Maybe ponies're bigger in Everglow."
Sunflower giggled and Apple Bloom blushed. "Sis! Are ya callin' me fat?"
Applejack shook her head quickly. "Ah'm callin' you a growing filly, who'll one day be as big and strong as ah am and buck an apple tree with no problem at all. Why, ah reckon you'll be big enough soon."
Apple Bloom tilted her head. "But what if I don't want to be an apple bucker?"
Applejack paused again, frowning with thought. "Well... Ya don't know what ya want to be yet, ah reckon. Not every Apple is a bucker. Nothin' wrong with that, ah suppose."
Apple Bloom nuzzled into Applejack's neck from behind. "Ah'm not talking 'bout leaving the farm if that's what's got ya worried. Ah can help in other ways, right? Ah'm not as big as ya were, even as a filly."
Sweetie Belle tapped the side of her head. "But you're smart!"
Scootaloo pumped a hoof as she walked. "And courageous!"
Sunflower looked uncertain a moment. "And a great leader?"
"Yeah!" agreed the other two Crusaders.
Applejack smiled as she bobbed her head. "Yer definitely all of those things. Don't ya worry none. So long as my little sister's bein' all she can be, Ah'll be prouder than a beaver on a fallen redwood."
They soon arrived at Willow's bedroom and gave a soft clopping knock. The door opened to reveal a feline form that was wreathed in flames. They all hopped back away from it in collective surprise as it chuckled, speaking in a female tone, "You have guests, mistress. The horses and your son."
Willow soon appeared at the doorway, gently brushing the flaming cat aside. "Ah, I see you have met Kalik. She is my partner and guardian."
Applejack tilted her head a little. "I didn't know ya had such a curious, uh, guardian? Why weren't they there when you were being attacked?"
Kalik sat on her haunches and licked over a flaming paw. "When my mistress slumbers, I am sent away to the plane of fire, where I await her call."
Sunflower clapped his paws together. "Why haven't I seen you before?"
Willow answered that. "Because there was no reason for it." She clucked her tongue. "Now what brings you all here? Have you decided when you wish to go?"
Scootaloo raised a hoof. "Yes ma'am! We're ready to go as soon as possible."
Willow raised a brow. "Is that so? I thought you needed more time to recover? No matter. I will have our supplies ready by sundown tomorrow, and we will depart when the sand cools. You need only bring yourselves. I will see there is an ample supply of food and water." She exited her room and moved to Sunflower. "Will you be ready?"
Sunflower quickly nodded. "Of course, Mom." He drew out his mace and showed it to her.
She laughed softly. "I have my doubts you will need a ghost-hunting mace during this journey, but it is still magic and will serve you well. Good, you keep your girls safe. Mother has work to do." She prowled off, Kalik following after her.
When they were out of sight, Applejack raised a brow at Sunflower. "Yer girls?"
Scootaloo burst into laughter, flopping onto her side. "It's a game of his. He thinks he can get a regular harem or something."
Applejack turned to face Sunflower. "That right?" She leaned in, overshadowing Sunflower. "Just a game?"
Sunflower wilted under the stern gaze. "I..."
Apple Bloom softly nudged Applejack from on her back. "Don't be a bully, Applejack. He ain't done nothin' wrong."
Applejack snorted with obvious disagreement. "Ya ain't big enough yet for that kinda thing." She pointed a hoof at Sunflower. "Get yer eyes off mah fillies."
Sweetie Belle crossed her forelegs. "I am not your filly, Applejack. Rarity taught me how to behave and I can handle myself, thank you." She turned up her little snout.
Apple Bloom stuck out her tongue. "And you taught me better than that, sis. We're not doing anything funny. Don't be angry at him for being a gentlecolt."
Scootaloo snorted, looking a little confused. "What's the big deal? He's our friend, right?" She moved over beside Sunflower and threw a leg over his neck, hugging him. "Best buds! That's what the Crusaders are all about, and he's been a good Crusader so far, right girls?"
"Right!"
"Yeah!"
Sunflower looked embarrassed in a good way at the kind words. "I'll do my best, promise."
Applejack let out a soft sigh. "Right. Well, get yer stuff packed and ready. We head out tomorrow."