//------------------------------// // Renegade Arc: Ch.4 - Stealth Isn't My Thing (edited) // Story: A Soldier's Orders // by Animatorsnake //------------------------------// Nearing sundown, Twilight and Soldier 3112 reach a hill that overlooks Ponyville. Seeing the Everfree Forest, they plan how to approach their objective. “Should we walk through the town or find another route?” asked Soldier 3112. Observing the town, Twilight can notice some ponies that aren't from town. The ponies are wearing darker versions of Celestia's royal guard armor. Twilight realized these are Luna's lunar guard and are patrolling Ponyville. “Not possible, see those ponies down there, they’re with Luna which means she's here,” said Twilight. “Then how are we supposed to enter the town then with those guards everywhere?” asked Soldier 3112. Looking for another route, Twilight suggests going through Sweet Apple Acres to get to the Everfree Forest. “Why not through my friend Applejack's farm, doesn't look like any of Luna's guards are patrolling there,” said Twilight. “Good idea... wait friend? If we encounter anybody you know then we’re screwed,” said Soldier 3112. “Don't worry my friend Applejack won't betray me,” said Twilight. Neither will she lie. Heading down toward the farm, nightfall has arrived with the moon above Ponyville. The moon's lunar light shines upon the apple orchard. Going through the farm unnoticed at first, a small light flickering ahead. “Get down,” whispered Soldier 3112, pushing Twilight down. Once hidden behind some crates, they can see the one under the small light is Applejack. “Hello? Is somepony there,” said Applejack, looking through the area. “It’s Applejack, maybe she can help us,” said Twilight. “What did I say, no assistance from any of your friends,” said Soldier 3112. As Soldier 3112 spoke to Twilight, he accidentally knocks over an empty basket. Falling to the ground and making a loud clack, Applejack heard the noise, slowly approaching it. “Who’s there!?” said Applejack. Twilight stares at Soldier 3112 angrily, as he gave a shrug. “Oops.” Once nearing the crates, Applejack meets eye to eye with Soldier 3112 first. Spooked, Applejack drops the lantern as the light went out, falling to the ground. “WHAT IN EQUESTRIA IS THAT THING!?” shouted Applejack. “Quiet AJ, before you wake everypony up,” said Twilight, shushing Applejack. “Twilight, what... but... what,” said Applejack, confused. After a few moments of explaining, Twilight helps Applejack to her hooves. “So he’s the thing we saw that fought that robot thing?” asked Applejack. “Indeed, now you got to help us, we’re trying to-” Suddenly small flickers of light can be seen coming from the farm’s entrance. Unsure what to do, Applejack leads Twilight and her associate into the barn. “Hide here, I'll be right back,” said Applejack, closing the door. Watching where the light is coming from, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor are seen approaching, levitating a lantern at the entrance. “My brother and sister-in-law, what are they doing here?” said Twilight, watching from her hiding spot. “Something tells me they're here for us.” Approaching them, Applejack speaks first. “Oh hello Shining and Cadance, what are you two doing here?” asked Applejack. “We wanted to ask you if you might know where Twilight might be?” asked Cadance. Applejack, couldn't tell them that she was in her barn with the strange being, but she couldn't lie either. So she told Shining and Cadance something that wasn't a lie but, wasn't helpful either. “Well she's somewhere I suppose,” said Applejack. “I see... well we have other questions we would like to ask you, can we speak inside,” said Shining. “Sure thing, this way please,” said Applejack. Leading them away, Applejack signals Twilight to leave now. Seeing her signal, Twilight and Soldier 3112 leave and head to the Everfree Forest. “Okay, maybe some of your friends can be trustworthy,” said Soldier 3112. Once nearing Ponyville, they sneakily try to go pass guard after guard. Nearing the entrance to the forest, a few familiar voices can be heard. “So, what do you think Twilight was thinking when she was trying to help that thing?” asked Rainbow. Looking over a window, she can see her friends inside Sugar Cube Corner talking. “Well whatever it is, Luna thinks she's a traitor,” said Rarity. “WHAT!?” shouted Pinkie, falling off her seat. “Twilight must have had her reasons,” said Fluttershy. “Yeah, she wouldn't do something this crazy and be considered a traitor!” said Rainbow. Twilight was happy that her friends still had faith on her. About to leave, a large light is shone on Twilight and Soldier 3112. “NOW HOLD RIGHT OVER THERE YOU TOO!” “Not again,” said Soldier 3112 raising his hands. From the light was Luna and a few of her guards, surrounding the two. “My sister was right to have sent me here. Twilight, you and that thing are hereby under arrest!” said Luna. Sweating in fear of what will happen to her, Twilight was so close to getting away. However a sudden object flies at one of Luna's guards. “What's this?” asked Luna. Levitating the object, it was a cupcake, then looking back at Twilight her four friends stood ready to protect her. “You may be the princess, but I won't stand one of my friends being accused of something!” said Rainbow, pulling up her hooves in a fighting position. “Don't worry darling, we’re here for you,” said Rarity. “Please don't do this Princess Luna, if you don't mind,” said Fluttershy. “BRING IT YOU MEANIES!” shouted Pinkie, readying to throw another cupcake. “Thank you everypony,” said Twilight. “No worries Twilight; now you should get going, we'll handle this,” said Rarity. Escaping, Twilight can hear her friends block Luna's way. “TO VICTORY! CHARGE!” shouted Pinkie, throwing a barrage of cupcakes. “You have some trustworthy friends,” said Soldier 3112, running. “I'm happy I came to this town, in the first place” said Twilight, under her breath whilst she ran. Leaving the boundaries of Ponyville, they arrive near the Everfree Forest. “Okay let's go before we encounter more trouble,” said Solider 3112. “Before we go, there are creatures in this forest that are extremely deadly. Timberwolves, cragcodiles, and many more,” said Twilight, slightly afraid from experiencing some of the listed creatures. “Don't worry, I'm equipped to handle any situation, I'll see if we can stop any of these creatures if we encounter them,” said Soldier 3112. “Come on, let's go.” “Let's hope we can survive the night in this place,” said Twilight, entering the Everfree Forest. As the pair ran into the inner parts of the Everfree, they can hear the distant battle happening in town. Twilight thinks of going back and surrendering, but she’s gone this far and she can’t go back... whether she wants to or not.