Every pony in Ponyville had heard of the Everfree Forest. They were told at a young age never to enter, or else they may never leave.
The way things worked in the Everfree just wasn't natural. Instead of working with ponies, the forest seemed to actively work against them. The weather was uncontrollable, animals hunted each other, and dangerous plants grew rampant. Many ponies considered going into the Everfree unprepared or without reason to be madness.
It was at the edge of this forest that - to anypony watching - two unicorns stood.
"Well," Twilight said, scraping her hoof against the ground nervously. "I guess this is where we part ways, then."
Shining Armor sighed. "It's not too late for you to change your mind..."
"Shiny, Mom needs you at the hive more than I need you here." Twilight looked at her brother sternly. "What if that mystery hive attacks? What if Minuette can't rally the soldiers in time to form a proper defense? They need you, Shiny, I don't."
"What if you get attacked?" Shining Armor retorted. "I won't be around to protect you if that happens, and I just..." Tears entered his eyes. "I don't want to lose you."
Twilight shook her head. "Shiny, you and Minuette have done so much for our hive. If it wasn't for Minuette's quick thinking, we would have been discovered years ago by that archeologist! If it wasn't for your barrier spell, that ursa minor from a few months ago would have killed Mom and I!" She gave Shining Armor a pleading look. "I want to be useful. I want to show my worth. And I can't do that if I'm in your shadow."
"Twilight..." The prince wiped the tears from his eyes. "You grew up way too quickly for your big brother, you know that?"
"Shiny..."
The prince ruffled his sister's mane. "Just stay safe, Twily. I've already lost Petra. I don't want to lose you too." And with that, he walked deeper into the forest. If one looked closely, they might have seen a green flash and many shapes moving in the shadows before he disappeared from sight.
Twilight sighed and looked out the forest. "Best get going then..."
She steeled herself and walked out of the mass of trees and into a mass of much-less-frightening trees. An expansive apple orchard stretched out in front of her, dwarfing anything she had ever seen before save for the hive and the Everfree Forest itself.
Twilight couldn't help but gawk as she walked through the trees. Not only was the orchard huge, but the apples bore a delicious red luster.
"Well howdy there, pardner!" Twilight leaped back at the sudden voice and turned to see an orange earth pony standing aside her. She wore a stetson on her head and her mane flowed in a long and loose 'ponytail', as ponies called it for some reason. Emblazoned on the mare's flank was the likeness of three apples - her cutie mark.
"Sorry 'bout that," The pony smiled sheepishly, "Ah saw you comin' outta the Everfree Forest, an' Ah thought y'all might be hurt." Her smile became less embarrassed and more relieved. "Good ta know that ain't the case."
Twilight let out a breath she had been holding. The farm mare didn't suspect a thing! "I appreciate the concern, Miss...?"
"Applejack."
'An Apple family member! This must be Sweet Apple Acres, then!' "Miss Applejack. My name is Twilight Sparkle."
As Twilight spoke, she recalled the infiltration lessons Mrs. Heartstrings gave her. 'The first thing a pony will want to know is where you're from and what you do.' "I'm a traveling scholar studying Equestria's history." 'The best lie is the truth.' "I'm going to be staying in Ponyville for about a week in order to progress my studies." 'Never outright ask a pony for help.' "Do you know of a place where I could stay for the week?"
"Sure thing, Miss Twilight!" Applejack responded cheerfully. "We're expectin' a bumper crop this year, so y'all can just bunk with us if ya want!"
"Really?" Twilight's face brightened. "You're just going to let me stay? No chores or anything?"
Applejack just laughed. "Naw, not here! Maybe other Apples do that, but me..."
Twilight didn't need changeling senses to tell how distressed Applejack was. "Y-you don't have to tell me if you don't-"
"It's okay," Applejack interrupted. "Let's get ta the house, Ah'll tell ya on the way."
The two started walking toward a distant building. After a few seconds, Applejack sighed. "Ponyville was attacked by an Ursa couple'o months back. " Twilight's face turned grim as she remembered the incident, but Applejack didn't seem to notice and continued. "Our family wasn't affected, since we live on the outskirts of town an' it came from the other side of the Everfree Forest, so we offered ta help repair. Most ponies got out safely, but there were still a few who didn't make it..."
Applejack exhaled as she pushed the last bit of rubble away. "Alright... Now we just hafta see if there's anypony inside..."
Suddenly, a cry of grief came from inside the house. "Well that answers that." Applejack muttered as she ran inside.
The scene she saw... well, it wasn't pretty. near the back of the room, buried under some rumble, lay what remained of Muffins, that lovable mailmare. In a pool of the pegasus's blood lay a sobbing unicorn filly who looked just like Muffins in every other respect. "Aunt Muffy... p-please wake up..."
Applejack stepped forward. "Are y'all okay?"
The unicorn filly turned and, ever so slowly, found her way into Applejack's embrace, staining her hooves with tears. After a few minutes of uncontrolled sobbing, the filly looked up at her savior. "Miss Applejack?"
"Yeah?"
"Aunt Muffy... she's with Queen Majesty, r-right? Not T-Tirek?"
Applejack's heart ached as the filly asked the same question Applejack had asked her Granny all those years ago. "Of course she's with Majesty, Sugarcube." She whispered. "Ain't no doubt about it."
After a few minutes, Applejack ever so carefully lifted the filly onto her back and walked out of the wreckage toward the still-intact hospital. The filly never let go of her savior.
Once they reached the hospital, Applejack turned to the little filly, who had introduced herself as Dinky. "So, d'ya have a place to go from here?"
The filly shook her head sorrowfully. "A-Aunt Muffy was the only pony I ever knew..."
Applejack was silent for a moment, then made her decision.
"Ah learned a lesson that day." Applejack finished her story as they approached the house. "There's always folks that have less than you do. It's only right to help them out. Even if Ah can't take them in forever like Ah did with Dinky, Ah'll do whatever Ah can. One small act of generosity can change a life."
"Wow." Twilight whispered. What else was there to say?
A small laugh came from the farm mare before she opened the door and yelled "Everypony! We've got ourselves a guest!"
"A GUEST?!" Two fillies' voices filled the house and before long, Twilight found herself on her back with two young faces beaming at her. One was a yellow earth pony with a bow in her red mane and the other was a gray unicorn with her yellow mane in a braid.
"Howdy!" The yellow one said. "Mah name's Apple Bloom!"
"And I'm Dinky!" The gray one added. "What's your name, miss?"
Despite the pain now rushing through her spine, Twilight couldn't help but grin at the sheer amount of affection coming from the two fillies. Before she could answer their question, an elderly voice called from another room, "Applejack? We got guests?"
"Sure do, Granny!" Applejack responded, then turned to Twilight. "C'mon, Ah'll introduce ya to the family."
She walked into a room, Twilight following close behind. In the room were a big red stallion and an elderly green mare. Applejack turned to Twilight and smiled. "This here is Big Macintosh," she pointed to the red stallion, "Granny Smith," the elderly mare gave a warm smile, "an y'all have met those two rascals over there already." The two fillies in question smiled angelically. "An' finally... C'mere, Winona!"
Barks came from somewhere inside the house, and before she knew what had happened, Twilight had been toppled for the second time, this time by an excited border collie. "Ow... why... floor... pain... argh."
Applejack chuckled as the collie licked Twilight's face. "Sorry 'bout that. Winona loves meetin' other ponies."
"It's alright," Twilight said as Winona leaped off her. She got up, trying to ignore the pain her back was suffering, and smiled at the family. "My name's Twilight Sparkle. I'm a traveling scholar studying Equestria's history. I'll be staying in Ponyville for about a week." She gave a small bow. "It's nice to meet you all. I will try not to be a burden..."
"Are ya stayin' for the Summer Sun Celebration?" Apple Bloom asked.
Twilight's face blanched. 'Summer Sun Celebration?! Argh, I know that's important, but what is it?!' Panic seeped into the changeling's mind as she struggled to recall what exactly the filly was talking about.
Thankfully, Applejack answered for her. "'Course she is! Ah'd bet that's part of her studies!" Her smile suddenly turned into a frown. "Come ta think of it, Ah still need ta prepare the food, don't Ah..."
"I can help-" Twilight started before catching a glance at Applejack's face, which had 'no' written all over it. "Ooor I could just... walk around Ponyville for a while..." And maybe find the library and brush up on pony culture while she was at it.
Applejack's face brightened as she shooed the two fillies off of their captive. "Actually, Ah need ta see a friend of mine t'get some ingredients, so Ah can show y'all around town if y'all'd like."
A smile came to Twilight's face. "Thank you, Applejack. I'd like that."
"Then let's get goin'!" Applejack cheered and rushed out the door, with Twilight following close behind.
Twilight stood at the entrance to Ponyville, mouth agape. And the surprise wasn't just from the giant cupcake. 'The residual love from this point alone could feed a single changeling on its own! Now I see why Mrs. Heartstrings retired to Ponyville...'
Beside her, Applejack chuckled. "Trust me, Ponyville's looked much better. Heck, we still haven't completely finished rebuilding after the Ursa attacked." Looking around, Twilight now noticed that there were many houses in various states of disrepair and reconstruction. "Ah'm surprised that the Princess is comin' ta our humble little Summer Sun Celebration." Applejack continued, looking out over the town. "Good thing the gazebo in the center of town wasn't destroyed, that was a stroke of luck right there."
Twilight was about to agree, but was interrupted by a new voice calling, "Oh Applejack! So lovely to see you, dear!" Twilight turned to see an alabaster unicorn with her leafy-green hair in a simple bun walking towards the pair. Her cutie mark was vague, as unicorns' usually were, depicting three blue gems. "I still have to thank you for rebuilding the Boutique for me." The mare gave a small curtsy. "How can I possibly repay you?"
Applejack just shook her head. "Ah told you, Rarity! Ah don't need y'all ta repay me, the deed itself is payment enough. And," she added as the other mare opened her mouth, "Ah'm not talkin' about the deed to th' Boutique."
Rarity chuckled. "Applejack, you are too selfless for your own good sometimes!" She turned to Twilight and raised an eyebrow. "And who are you, dear? I haven't seen you in these parts at all."
"My name's Twilight Sparkle." She replied on instinct. "I'm a traveling scholar studying Equestria's history. I'll be staying in Ponyville for about a week."
Rarity blinked, her eyes widening for a moment, then she sighed. "Don't tell me, Applejack offered you a room, asking nothing in return?" Upon seeing Twilight's sheepish nod, Rarity gave Applejack a sharp glare. "Again, Applejack?"
"What can Ah say, Rares?" Applejack gave a nervous chuckle as her eyes darted around, looking for an exit. "Whatever Ah have, somepony else needs it more than Ah do."
A worried look appeared on Rarity's face. "But your farm is..." A harsh look from Applejack silenced her, and she shook her head in resignation. "Fine, at least let me show your new friend around!"
Applejack looked like she was going to protest, but a quick glare from Rarity silenced her. "After we get ta Sugarcube Corner. If Twilight's okay with it."
"I don't mind," Twilight responded. "In fact, I'd feel terrible if I distracted you from your job."
"Wonderful!" Rarity cheered as the three mares walked further into town.
Now that they were in Ponyville proper, Twilight was so stricken by the sheer amounts of love that a bit of drool came out of her mouth. A chuckle from Rarity brought her to awareness. "Yes, I know Sugarcube Corner looks delicious, but it is a building, not a pastry." The white mare chided, bringing Twilight's attention to the a giant cupcake, which upon closer inspection had a door and some empty spaces where windows would be. "Their cupcakes are divine, though, don't get me wrong..."
Twilight blushed and mentally thanked the Queens that they were right next to Sugarcube Corner. "R-right, sorry..."
"An' that's where Ah'm gonna hafta leave y'all." Applejack said as she walked toward the delicious looking building. Before entering, she turned to Twilight and Rarity and waved. "Make sure ta be back 'fore supper, Twilight!"
"I'll make sure she is!" Rarity waved back. Once Applejack was out of sight, she turned to Twilight with a bit of a frown on her face. "I swear, she is too selfless for her own good!"
Twilight knew in her heart that she shouldn't pry, but she had to ask. "What do you mean, exactly?"
"Exactly what I said!" Rarity responded. "She's spending more time in Ponyville helping out ponies who suffered from the ursa attack than working at her own farm. I swear, if Noteworthy wasn't helping them with their finances, they'd be GET DOWN!"
Twilight barely had enough time to react before a cyan blur came zooming straight towards her. She yelped and ducked, only for the blur to veer up, splattering her with the mud in her wake. "What was that?!" Twilight sputtered.
"That was the Ponyville welcoming committee." Rarity responded, trying to shake the mud off of her before giving up and glaring at the clouds above. "I know you're up there, Rainbow Dash! You are not getting away with this!"
A resounding laughter was heard, and a cyan head with rainbow-colored hair popped out of the bottom of one of the clouds. "Oh man, the look on your faces! Priceless!" The strange mare gave another laugh as she flew out of the clouds, revealing her to be a pegasus with a strange, 'rainbow-bolt' cutie mark. "Hey, sorry about the mud, lemme wash it off for you!"
"Rainbow Dash if you even think-" Rarity could get no further before the pegasus flew onto a cloud and started jumping on it. This caused a downpour that soaked Twilight and Rarity to the bone, though it did also clean them off.
Rainbow Dash peeked off the side of the cloud, and upon seeing a bemused Twilight and Rarity shivering like a chihuahua, she went into another gale of laughter. "Priceless, simply priceless!"
Then, to Twilight's surprise, a snicker came from Rarity's mouth, and then another one came from her own. Soon, the three mares had doubled over in laughter while passerby just shook their heads as if this was an everyday event.
Once the they were no longer in danger of dying from laughter, Rainbow turned to Twilight. "So, what's your name? I don't remember pranking you before."
"My name's Twilight Sparkle. I'm a traveling scholar studying Equestria's history. I'll be staying in Ponyville for about a week!" Twilight mentally winced at how mechanical that was starting to sound. "And you're Rainbow Dash, I assume?"
A cocky smirk came to the pegasus's face. "The one and only!" She stuck out a hoof which Twilight hesitantly took.
When nothing happened, Twilight rose an eyebrow. "What? No joy buzzer? No ketchup packet?"
Rainbow snorted. "I wouldn't use a joy buzzer when you're soaking wet! That would be going a biiit too far." She put a hoof to her chin. "The ketchup packet is a nice idea though... I'll have to remember that."
Rarity groaned. "Please, no... the red color might give ponies the wrong idea." Twilight was a bit confused before she remembered that ponies had red blood. "Besides, don't you have some rain scheduled for the next few days?"
The pegasus rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah... oh, word of advice, Twilight, watch out for Pinkie Pie!" As the pegasus turned around, Twilight caught sight of a nasty-looking scar on her side. Before she could ask about it, however, Rainbow Dash was already nothing more than a multicolored blur once again, quickly fading from view.
Deciding to ask about something else she was curious about, Twilight turned to Rarity and inquired, "Who or what is Pinkie Pie?"
Rarity just chuckled as if Twilight had said something funny without realizing. "Oh, you'll find out eventually."
Despite her curiosity, Twilight refrained from saying anything on the subject for the rest of the tour, mostly because the next stop was the library, where Twilight quickly got a library card from the couple running the place. She then borrowed as many books as she could fit in her saddlebags before being dragged off by Rarity while the two unicorns who lived there simply stared.
"Well that was odd..." The pink mare mumbled as Rarity pulled their latest customer away by the tail.
"She did borrow a lot of books though." The orange stallion replied. "I think she'll be a great customer if she decides to stay."
The mare chuckled at that. "Let's just cross our hooves..."
Dinner at the Apple family was like a skillful battle for Twilight as the family asked questions about their guest.
"Where do you come from, Miss Twilight?" Dinky asked bashfully.
"My hometown, you mean?" Twilight smiled, trying not to show how much the question was making her panic. "It isn't too far from here, actually! In fact, I live right next to a forest as well!" Of course, she neglected to mention that it was the same forest, or that she actually lived in it.
"How'd you get yer cutie mark?" Apple Bloom inquired, exuding curiosity and ignoring her vegetables.
Twilight smiled at the easy question. " I got it after h—my mother helped me recover from a pretty destructive magic surge. It represents my proficiency for magic." She let loose a small, controlled firework to demonstrate. Strangely enough, the firework brought a wave of anxiousness from most present, but it quickly faded as the firework did. Apple Bloom seemed somewhat disappointed, but Dinky was quite intrigued.
"So what's your family like, Twilight?" Applejack asked.
Another easy question. "We're about as different as we can be." Twilight chuckled a bit. "My mother is busy a lot of the time, but she's always there whenever we need her. She's really serious, but I know she'd die before she let any harm come to us." She knew that firsthoof.
"I've always looked up to my big sister." Twilight blushed a bit at admitting that. "She seems to be good at anything she does, and yet she always has time for me. She is a bit weird though..." She rummaged through her saddlebags and took out the towel Minuette had given her. "She gave me this when I left. Said it would come in handy." Everypony chuckled a bit at that before Twilight continued. "She's a weirdo, but she's my weirdo. That's what matters.
"And then there's my big brother." Her mood soured as she remembered the events of the night before. "He's overprotective, and I mean really overprotective." Her heart rate started to rise, and she forced herself to calm down. "I know he's just worried about me, but he takes it way too far." A sigh. "But really, in the end? I couldn't ask for a better big brother."
"Ah know how ya feel." Applejack smiled, pointing to Big Macintosh with her hoof. "As far as Ah'm concerned, Big Mac may be quiet, but he's the best big brother Ah could ask for. Ah wouldn't trade him for the world." Apple Bloom and Dinky nodded in agreement, causing Big Macintosh to blush a little.
"What about yer Pa?" Apple Bloom asked. "What's he like?"
Twilight looked down as a flash of pain filled her heart. "I... never knew my father. He died before I was born." Gasps went around the table, and the air was practically flooded with pity and sympathy.
A hoof was put on Twilight's shoulder. Looking over, she saw Applejack giving her an apologetic look. "Ah'm sorry if we stirred up some bad memories, Twi. Ah hardly remember mah parents either, so Ah know how it feels."
Twilight gave a weak smile. "Applejack... everypony... thank you."
Twilight sighed contentedly as she laid down on the bed the Apples had offered for her, listening to the patter of the rain outside as it hit the roof. She was so exhausted from Rarity's tour and Rainbow Dash's antics that she barely had the energy to take out a memory gem out of her saddlebags. After making sure nopony was looking, she started recording.
Everfree Hive Princess Twilight Sparkle, June 15
Day two of Project: Salvation
So far, so good.
I have met three mares today that are all potential candidates for this 'friendship'. The first is Applejack, a hospitable earth-pony farmer who has given me a place to stay during my time in Ponyville. She is extremely selfless, apparently to the point of self-neglection. At least, according to the second candidate, a unicorn who goes by the name of Rarity. She's a dress designer, and runs a boutique in ponyville, and yet she is very humble and frank, quite unlike the fashionista personality one would expect. While she was showing me around Ponyville, we ran into the third candidate, a pegasus named Rainbow Dash. I didn't really get much time to know her, but she seems quite outgoing. She has a tendency to play pranks, but they are harmless and, if I'm being honest, quite hilarious.
I also got a good lay of the land while Rarity was showing me around. During the tour, she pointed out some notable locations, like Sugarcube Corner (Ponyville's main cafe and sweet shop), Golden Oaks Library, and the gazebo where the Summer Sun Celebration will be held.
Oh yeah, the Summer Sun Celebration! It's a very important pony holiday celebrating Princess Celestia banishing Nightmare Moon using the Elements of Harmony! I have no idea what they are, hold on... Er, I may have checked out a few books from the library... Ah, here it is! ...Apparently, the Elements of Harmony are six powerful artifacts used to ward off evil. Only five of them are known, those of Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, and Loyalty. Their last known location is the Castle of the Two Sisters, deep in the Everfree Forest. I recommend sending out a survey to locate these artifacts, as they may provide insight into pony culture.
Oh right, the celebration. Apparently, this Summer Sun Celebration is the one-thousandth. To make matters even more exciting, Princess Celestia decided to hold the celebration here in Ponyville! Maybe I could begin negotiations with her after the celebration!
Signing off, Twilight Sparkle.
As Twilight finished the record, the door creaked open to reveal the border collie Twilight had met earlier that day.
The disguised princess smiled. "Hey there, Winona, wanna come sleep with me?"
Winona happily obliged and jumped up on Twilight's bed, paced around a bit, then curled up next to her and fell asleep. After closing the door with her magic, Twilight fell asleep with her.
Or at least she tried to. 'Why does it have to rain tonight?!'
Inside Carousel Boutique, a certain green-haired unicorn was snoring rather loudly
"Rarity?"
"*Snrk* Wha?" Rarity lifted her head up to see a giggling pink earth pony, as well as a small white unicorn behind her. She narrowed her eyes at the two of them. "Might I ask what's so funny?
Her pink charge giggled again, a strange, buzzing sound that Rarity had barely gotten used to over the months. "I didn't know drool was the next big thing in fashion."
Rarity looked down and groaned. Once again, she had fallen asleep, her design notebook all the damper for it. "I should get to bed..." She briefly looked to the clock before turning her gaze to her young charge. "As should you two - don't think I can't see you Sweetie Belle! - and especially you, Diamond Tiara. You know what happens when you go to school tired." She chuckled briefly. "I would rather not have to explain why you have a horn... again."
Diamond rolled her eyes, but begrudgingly walked up the stairs to her room, Sweetie Belle not far behind.
Rarity sighed, briefly turning back to her 'design' before shaking her head and closing the sketchbook. "What am I going to do with that little filly?" Putting her hoof to her chin, she added "And how am I going to discreetly tell her that her foalsitter is in town without her accidentally ousting everypony?"
Blueblood was not in the best of moods as he traversed the streets of Canterlot with his best friend. Who happened to be the reason for his sour mood.
"You know, I thought you'd like being able to take a break from all the noble snobbery." Spike spoke up sheepishly.
Blueblood sighed. "I do Spike, I really do, but... realistically speaking, my reputation will follow me to Ponyville. You remember that time that Princess Celestia asked us to visit Appleoosa to negotiate a peace between the settlers and the buffalo? How we almost made things worse because the ponies tried too hard to please us and the buffalo dismissed us as royal snobs?" The two of them shivered. "Reputation is a frightening thing, Spike. Its speed is impossible, its effects unbelievable."
"Still, Appleoosa wasn't too bad." Spike recalled before pulling out a picture of him and Blueblood along with another stallion and a young buffalo. "Braeburn was a bit excitable, but he treated you the same way he treated everypony else. And Little Strongheart pulled you out of the way when the pies came out."
Blueblood sighed as he came to a middle-sized house. "That's two people in what is essentially two small towns. Maybe there were a few more that I just never had the pleasure of meeting, but I doubt I'll find anypony quite like them in Ponyville, given its proximity to Canterlot."
"Or maybe you're being a pessimist." Spike retorted as the two walked up the stairs.
"Guilty as charged..." Blueblood chuckled before opening the door to the house. "Mother! Father! I'm home!"
"In the kitchen!" Twilight Velvet's voice echoed from deeper in the house. Indeed, a delicious scent was wafting around the area. "Come on in!"
Drool escaped from Spike's mouth as he and Blueblood walked in. "What'cha making, Ms. Velvet?"
"Chocolate chip cookies!" Night Light shouted as surprised his adoptive son with a hug. "Welcome back, son!"
After getting over the surprise, Blueblood unashamedly returned his father's embrace. "Thanks, Dad. I never feel like myself when I'm away."
Pedestal Placer, Centurion of the First Legion and the prince's confidant and best friend, sighed as he trudged through the Everfree Tunnels, trying to ignore the constant and infuriating sounds of water dripping from numerous exit holes and the splashing of Everfree's first legion following close behind him and Shining Armor. The past two days had been exhausting for him. First the incident with the ever-decreasing rations, then Shining Armor's announcement about the 'killer hive', topped off by this whole mess with Princess Twilight...
It was starting to take its toll on his patience.
His eye twitched as he heard Shining Armor start to fret for the fifth time. "I just can't help but worry about her, Pedestal! I don't want to lose her!"
"You worry too much, sir," Pedestal bluntly replied, all sense of tact worn away. "Your sister knows what she's doing. Much like changelings, ponies tend to stick in a group for safety. If she's attacked, she'll have a lot of protectors."
Shining armor sighed again. "I know that up here," he pointed to his head, then to his chest, "but not in here. I've already lost Petra, and a couple of months ago I almost lost Twily and Mom as well. I just don't want to lose them..."
Before Pedestal could respond, a scream came from the surface. Shining immediately grabbed his shortsword and flew out one of a nearby exit hole, while Pedestal and the rest of the legion reluctantly followed. "Always trying to be a hero..." Pedestal grumbled before he saw the scene aboveground.
When he did, he found himself unable to do much more than gape.
A swarm of changelings wearing black goggles and armor to disguise their hive was attacking a pink, vaguely ponylike shape, while Shining Armor was trying to fight the offending changelings off and failing due to sheer numbers. "I could use a bit of help here!" He shouted.
Pedestal snapped out of his stupor and turned to the soldiers. "You lot heard him! Formation Theta-Pi, go!"
A cheer went up around the soldiers as the decurions formed a line and charged into the fray, allowing them and the more skilled legionnaires to form a protective barrier around the pony while the centurions led the inexperienced legionnaires to Shining Armor's side, driving the hostile changelings away. Pedestal himself took to the skies, divebombing the enemy with his spear, sending terrified changelings scattering.
Just when Pedestal was lined up for a debilitating blow to one of the would-be assassins, a bright flash of light blinded him, and he stopped in midair. There were a few shouts of surprise, but no screams.
Pedestal knew what was going on. The flash of light was a flashbang, and if their adversaries weren't using the flash to attack them, that could only mean one thing.
The enemy was retreating.
He groaned as the black trees of the Everfree slowly faded back into existence. Yes, this meant no casualties, but it also meant that they had noling to interrogate and no hive to question.
He sighed and turned to the prince. "They're gone. All of 'em."
Shining Armor grimaced, apparently sharing Pedestal's sentiments. "That's not good..." He turned to their newfound charge, a quivering pegasus mare. "Are you alri-"
"Get away from me!" The pegasus threw a nearby branch, hitting Shining Armor between the eyes.
"Hey, woah, calm down." Pedestal flew in between them, using his spear to keep the two at distance and preventing the already-unstable prince from doing anything rash. "I know we may look frightening, but we have no intention to harm you." He turned to Shining and smirked. "Especially not the prince, he's a teddy bear really."
"Gee, thanks." Shining Armor grumbled before pushing aside the spear and approaching the mare again, this time bending down to meet the mare at eye level. "He is right though. I have no idea whose hive those changelings belonged to, but I promise you that the Everfree Hive has absolutely no bad blood with ponies." He smiled as the mare seemed to calm down a bit. "Can you walk or fly out of here on your own?"
"NO!" The mare leaped up, but quickly calmed herself, speaking in a more controlled manner. "S-sorry, my aunt wanted me to retrieve some artifacts from a castle deeper in. I'm not leaving until I get them."
"Well in that case, Mrs..." Shining Armor paused and looked at the mare.
Realizing the reason for the silence, the mare said, "Cadence."
Shining Armor nodded. "Mrs. Cadence. My name is Shining Armor, and it would be my honor as the commander of Everfree's First Legion, as well as the prince of the Everfree Hive, to have my soldiers and I escort you."
Cadence looked up. "R-really?"
Shining Armor smiled comfortingly, while Pedestal rolled is eyes at the prince's strict adhesion to complete chivalry. "Of course!" The prince's face became stern as he turned to address his soldiers. "You hear that, men?! From here on out, you will be protecting Mrs. Cadence as you would protect me!"
"Yes sir!" The changelings saluted, before a decurion spoke up. "Permission to search the area, sir!"
"Granted, decurion Board Blade. I want two pairs out there looking for enemy scouts and three more looking for dangerous wildlife! If you find them, report back to me immediately! Do not engage unless absolutely necessary!"
"Sir!" One of the more skilled legionnaires spoke up. "My sister is a topographer, I think I know where the castle Mrs. Cadence is searching for is located!"
Shining Armor nodded. "Alright then, decurion Battle Rust! Lead the way!"
If Battle Rust noticed his promotion, he did not show it, and he merely saluted. "Sir, yes sir!"
Pedestal chuckled dourly, then turned to Cadence. "I apologize for our prince's zealousness. He's been going through a lot lately." Another chuckle, this time more joking. "I think he has some need to protect someone, or else he'll go off the deep end."
"Is that so..." Cadence whispered as she looked at her savior, who was chewing out a pair of bumbling legionnaires known only as the Tweedle Bros. Her tone was laced with worry.
Pedestal stopped chuckling immediately, his face grim. "In all seriousness, I am concerned for his well-being. One day, he's going to work himself to death, or worse..."
Cadence only nodded, but for the briefest of moments, Pedestal could have sworn he saw a horn on the pegasus's head and a flicker of concern on her face.