Quest To Unite

by JazzieQ

Willow City, Here We Come!!

It wasn't me, I wasn't there, nobody saw me write this fanfic.

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There was a moment of awkward silence amongst the group. Spike looked around and saw one or two ponies watching them.
Braeburn awkwardly laughed, “Ha ha ha..... oh yeaah.... nice COSTUME as a unicorn for the festival pageant show... ha ha.......ha”
The ponies just gave a confused look but went about their business. Braeburn grabbed Applejack and Applebloom and pulled them to the nearest alley to the stall.
He let out a great, hefty sigh.

“Applejack... I gots sumtun I’ve been tryin’ to tell yer,” Braeburn said circling his hoof on the ground. He retold all the events that happened to him, about ending up in Equestria, meeting the unicorns, about them asking for help. Spike also joined in on the explanation about his mission in Argil. Braeburn also explained that Sweetie and Scootaloo stowed away and they managed through the barrier. Sweetie and Scootaloo unveiled themselves from the cloaks to reveal their wings and horn. Applebloom and Applejack has two totally different expressions. While Applebloom’s face showed wonderment, Applejack looked horrified.

“Are you out of yer apple-buckin’ mind?!! If ponies found out about this, they’d drag yer sorry rump through the town till the cows come home.”

“They’re leaving for Willow City tomorrow with Spurs. We don’t got nuttin’ to do with it anymore after that.” Braeburn said.

“WOOOOOOOOW! A real pegasus and real unicorn! Can yer do magic? Huh Huh?! Can yer? And can you fly?!”
Sweetie and Scootaloo opened their mouths to answer but were cut off.

“APPLEBLOOM! Hush and let the big ponies talk! Braeburn, the simple matter is you’re putting a lot of ponies in danger by bringin’ them into Argil. Have yer forgotten all the stories Granny Smith told ya?”

“I haven’t forgotten Applejack... but..”

“How can you be so sure ‘bout them unicorn and pegasi. What if they got some trick up their sleeves? Why should we help them anyway? They ain’t nuttin’ but a bunch o’ whip crackin’ monsters!!” Applejack ranted. Anger was rising within her which made everypony quite uncomfortable. But Spike also felt anger rising in him too. He couldn’t stand to hear Twilight and his other friends being spoken about like that. Sweetie and Scootaloo shifted uncomfortably in their spaces after being likened to a monster.

“Twilight isn’t like that! She’s not a monster!!” Spike interjected, “Unicorns and pegasi aren’t like five hundred years ago! There’s no food there!! We need help!”

“Oh now they’re sufferin’ and wants us to come help them? That ain’t our problem,” Applejack said, “they brought this upon themselves. Applebloom come on, we’re going home now.”

“Applejack, wait!” Braeburn followed her, “please.... don’t tell anypony ‘bout this. Let Spike go to Willow City and talk to the princess.” Applejack looked at him as if she’s was disgusted at his request.

“Ah won’t. APPLEBLOOM!” Applejack walked off out of the alley and back to Gilda who was now with the rest of the griffon crew. Applebloom stared at the other fillies as if she was trying to figure out how they were monsters. Without saying anything, she then turned and walked off to meet Applejack. Braeburn, Spike and the fillies were left standing in the alley with a heavy aura over them.

“Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to come here Scootaloo,” Sweetie said looking dejected. Scootaloo looked like she was about to break into tears. Spike was still feeling anger over the insults of his friends and Braeburn felt awkward himself. Deep down, he also felt the same as Applejack but she voiced it, bluntly. He swallowed a lump and then spoke.

“Come on y’all. I still gots a festival tuh show ya.”
Sweetie and Scootaloo covered themselves once again and Braeburn led the group out of the alley and made their way out by Braeburn’s cart from the port to San Fratello, the town where the Apple family’s estate was located.

The journey was quiet. The heavy aura still hung around the group but the mood was lightened a bit with the scenes of nature as they passed by. It was evening already and the cool breeze blew lightly, the rustling of leaves and the various fauna and flora made the new comers forget what had happened in the alley for the time being. The grassland flowers danced lightly and the dandelions released their woolliness making the air lively as well. As they approached the town, the group craned out of the canvas cover to see it. It was a wonderful sight just like the port. The housing was different, a bit simpler, but just as elegant. Cottages and cabins were made from timber and there were also marble buildings that mostly served as stores. There was one peculiar looking building that looked like a giant candy house. Sweetie and Scootaloo already marked it as their favourite building. But there were a multitude of apple trees laden with fruit that stretched for acres and acres.

Just then, out from the grasslands with a bunch of fillies and colts following, a very pink mare with an electric pink, curly mane came bouncing toward them.

“Braeburn! Braeburn! Hey everypony! Braeburn’s back!” she called to the little group.

“BRAEBURN! BRAEBURN!” the hoard of little ponies came galloping toward the cart to greet Braeburn with the mare leading bouncing along the moving cart.

“Hey Braeburn! Where ya been?! I’ve just been having the fun, fun, funnest time since the celebration started! ‘Cause you know why?! It’s time to party all week long! I mean who wouldn’t want that? I just finished planning the biggest super duper party that San Fratello will ever see! And now that you’re back it’s gonna be ten times more fun! Oh and Uncle Zeppelin is back too so that make another ten times more fun! That’s twenty times the fun!...”

“Hi Pinkie Pie.” Braeburn managed between Pinkie’s rant.

“... and look! We got new faces! More fun! I’ve never seen you all before! Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie and I’m your new friend! What are you anyway?! Oh oh! Lemme guess! A mutant alligator? No.... A purple spikey head gnome! Oh oh..a...”

“DRAGON! I’M A DRAGON!” Spike wasn’t sure what to make of this mare. She annoyed him greatly but the description of him, Spike thought he preferred Braeburn’s better.

“... a dragon? You know the fun thing about dragons is that they breathe fire? I mean think about it! They probably can swallow anything and cook it in their bellies after eating it! Wouldn’t that just be the coolest thing ever! And look at these new fillies! What’re your names?”

“Uuuuuuuuuh ... I’m Sweetie Belle and this is Scootaloo.” Sweetie said nervously also weary of this new personality.

“You guys will come to the party later, right? I mean it’s totally gonna be fun!” Pinkie suddenly appeared with a party hat on and a trumpet on her mouth, “there’s gonna be cake and lots of Busele Brule! I just totally made that up! Say it with me!”

“We’ll be there Pinkie!” Braeburn said looking annoyed and trotted faster to lose her which in a way worked as she got occupied in having all the young ponies say ‘Busele Brule’ ten times with her. Braeburn was being greeted with “Welcome back” greeting from everypony in town, in which he returned a pleasant gesture they trotted along the streets.

“Welcome back Braeburn!”

“Thanks Rose! Did Applejack come back already?”

“Yeah I saw here earlier going home with Applebloom and a group of griffons.”

Spike felt a surge of anger hearing Applejack’s name. Braeburn pressed on through the huge square that had had the same statue of the stallion back in Hayport but smaller. He eventually stopped at a large cabin away from the town surrounded by apple trees.

“Okay we’re at mah house! Y’all can bunk here tonight” Braeburn said pulling himself off the cart and unpacking his things, “I’ll take yer back to Hayside and Spurs’ll take y’all to Willow City from there.”

“Thanks Braeburn...” Spike said feeling a bit depressed.

“Look, I know y’all feel a bit down right now but I told yer that’s the way ponies feel here. Y’all should brace yerselves cuz a lot more is comin’ yer way. It’s up ter you Spike if y’all wanna continue or not.”

“No, Twilight and everypony back home is counting on me to do this! I can’t let them down!”

“Good thinkin’ little feller. Now how about I show y’all the festival and around Sweet Apple Acres?” the three nodded at the suggestion and headed out into the evening coolness.

***********

The first night Willow Celebrations stared at San Fratello. Everypony showed up at the festivities. They gather at the main square where indeed Pinkie Pie had decorated the scene with an enormous amount of balloons, streamers and lights. The mares and fillies were dressed similarly in colourful dresses with flowers in their manes and the stallions and colts wore smartly made matching vests. Spike noticed that Pinkie was hopping around asking everypony if they having the best time ever and offering apple cider and punch to everyone while a couple who everyone was calling Mr. and Mrs. Cake were busy in putting food out like there's no tomorrow. Applejack was busy in conversation with Junebug, Gilda and uncle Apple Strudel. The other griffons were over at the cider stand guffawing at some jokes being told by uncle Zeppelin, an old Argillian soldier who now flies a blimp. Applebloom was close by to Braeburn, busy in a foal gathering amongst herself, Pipsqueak, Babs Seed, Button Mash, Truffle Shuffle and Apple Mint. Braeburn kept aside away from too much crowd with Spike and the two fillies, still under cover, who were looking at foal group. They looked like they were much longing to join in.

“I wish I could say you two go on over there an’ make friends but...” Braeburn said. Spike felt sorry for the two fillies, and he knew Applejack as avoiding Braeburn. He secretly wished that Sweetie and Scootaloo had not followed him in the first place. They could have stay back home in Equestria and avoided the discrimination they were now facing. Nopony should go through that, let alone a filly.

“It’s okay,” Sweetie said and she bit into a piece of the famous Granny Smith’s apple pie. She seemed to have become lost a bit in savoring the flavor and Scootaloo was examining the statue.

“Who’s the statue of Braeburn? We saw the same one but bigger back at the port.”

“That’s the firs’ king of Argil, Grey Willow. He saved earth ponies from the uni…” Braeburn stopped suddenly being aware that he was talking to a pegasus and a unicorn.

“Tell us.” Scootaloo said.

“Well, the story goes that he was gonna be killed in the arena in front of thousands of …unicorn and pegasi and King Sombra… they released a HUUUUUUGE five headed dragon on ‘im and another prisoner.. err… Silver Oak see,” Scootaloo and Sweetie’s eyes widened with awe, “and as if with no effort Grey Willow single handedly defeated the dragon with his bare hooves and he climbed atop of it and commanded the defeated five headed dragon to fly away with him and Silver Oak makin’ them escape certain death...”

“I don’t like this story very much.” Spike said looking annoyed.

“After that, King Sombra wanted the earth ponies dead so Grey Willow atop of his dragon flew all around Equestria savin’ as many earth ponies as possible. However, he was a bit late see… an’ not much of us were left, just about a hundred of us. And he flew across the water with them to Argil.”

“WOOOW! COOL!” Scootaloo exclaimed, “…so how did a hundred ponies fit on one dragon?”

“Err… well see… Ah guess they were so thin in those days that they scrunched themselves up so close to each other they all fit on his back.” Spike couldn’t help but do a faceclaw to that explanation, “So the Willow Celebration is to commemorate him for savin’ us and many other things like the earth spirit, harvest an’ mare fertil...” Braeburn held back what he was going to say. Scootaloo and Sweetie looked at him curiously. Just then, Mayor Mare got on stage.

“FILLIES AND GENTLECOLTS! It’s my great pleasure to welcome all of you to the First Night Willow Celebrations!!” there was a thunderous applause from the crowd, “and I would like to thank Pinkie Pie for this amazing..”

“And FUN!” Pinkie added.

“... set up and ensuring that everypony is having a wonderful time. But now it’s time for the dance to begin!”

Fiddly Faddle started the lively fiddle music and the same dance that occurred back in Hayside was performed by everymare with their partners. Apple Fritter came up to Braeburn and pulled him in the dance with her. He looked a bit awkward in his steps. Spike thought he probably haven’t danced in a while. Uncle Zeppelin was now drunk off his haunches. He climbed up on the stage area screaming to which Fiddly, on cue, changed the music. He began another dance, a type of tapping jig which was livelier than the last, and was amazingly in concert with the beat, despite being drunk. Everypony joined in as well. It seemed as though it was in their blood to dance. Spike, Sweetie and Scootaloo couldn’t help but sway to the music and became even more amazed at everyone’s performance which was topped off with magnificent fireworks that lit the night sky compliments to Pinkie Pie once again. It was a breath taking moment but Sweetie was careful this time to hide her excitement. Everypony became breathless by the end of the dances. Braeburn returned to his little group where he sat down panting.
Applebloom suddenly came up to them with a tray having three glasses.

“Hey cousin Braeburn... I thought they might like some punch.” She cautiously held out her hoof and offered Spike, Sweetie and Scootaloo while staring at them.

“Ummmmm....” Applebloom said with a bit of nervousness in her voice, “Yer not what big sis says are yer?”

“No! We’re not! I mean bad things happened long ago but we’re not like that! At all!” Scootaloo said a bit emotional. Applebloom continued to stare at them apprehensively and Braeburn and Spike said nothing.

“I’m Applebloom.” Sweetie and Scootaloo introduced themselves once again.

“How’d you end up here in Argil?”

“We snuck on the boat. Sweetie Belle thought it’d be a good idea to get cutie marks in being stowaways.”

“Did not!”

“Did too!”

“Hey I dun have my cutie mark either!” Applebloom joined in and a conversation between the three fillies sparked up with giggling and smiles. Spike and Braeburn watched and couldn’t help but smile. Applejack looked over and saw the three fillies in conversation and was about to storm over to pull Applebloom away but Gilda stopped her in her tracks.

“Have a good look Applejack.” Gilda said. Applejack looked at the fillies’ laughter and enjoyment and somewhat relented and gave a half smile herself.

**********

As the rooster crowed, everypony were already packed up in Braeburn’s cart off to Hayside once again. Spike was just a bundle in blankets snoring peacefully while Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were up enjoying the morning sun. As the cart moved through the path going into the town Braeburn stopped. Applejack, Applebloom, Gilda and the other griffons were waiting for him.

“Hey.” Braeburn said. Applejack returned the gesture awkwardly. Gilda hopped in the cart.

“What’re you doin’? Braeburn asked.

“What else. We’re going back to Hayside. Gunner the idiot here forgot to send a message to pops saying that we arrived safely, and that we decided to stay a bit for the celebrations. He’ll blow his feathers off about this.” Gunner lowered his head.

“Applejack, can I ride with Braeburn?” Applebloom asked.

“Uuuuh...” Applejack looked at Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo warily, “Sure I guess.” The little earth filly hopped in the cart as well and another conversation about cutie marks sparked up. Braeburn smiled at Applejack. Just a few days ago he might had the same reaction as Applejack if their roles were reversed, but now he actually feels a bit more comfortable around Sweetie and Scootaloo.

The ride back to Hayside was a noisy one, much to Spike’s annoyance. The usual scene was occurring at Hayside except that there was a parade to be expected later on. They arrived an hour earlier so everypony gathered for morning tea at the coffee shop. Spike explained his plan when he will get to Willow City to the group.

“Yer can’t just waltz up to the princess!” Applejack said, “they’ll be done with yer scaly hide if you even get near the royal grounds! And those two…” looking at the fillies, “if they even blow their cover, filly or not, ponies’re gonna be on them like white on rice.”

“Then what should we do?” Spike asked.

“Firs’ you need a plan, an’ an escort who can set yer up to meet the chancellor an’ theeeen he’ll decide if yer can meet the princess… and ah know just the person.”

“Who?” spike asked.

“Mah brother Cap’n Big Macintosh in the royal guard. He should get yer in. But yer need someone who knows Willow City too.”

“Alright… no need to beg me, I’ll take him.” Gilda said. Everypony looked at Gilda, “What why you all looking at me like that? I know Willow City like the back of my claw!!”

“You’re not coming back with us Gilda?” Gunner asked.

“Tell pops I’ll be home as so as the week is over.”

“Okay then I guess you’re all set. I’ll write ‘im a letter. You can give him when you get to Willow City.” Applejack said. Time went by as Applejack scribbled a letter to Big Mac. Soon the group found themselves walking to the road full of carriages and Spurs was already waiting for them. Gilda, Spike, Sweetie and Scootaloo hopped in.

“Thank you Braeburn, Applejack for everything.” Spike said.

“You’re welcome Spike”

“You take care of yerself hear. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo…. Imma sorry fer calling…”

“It’s okay.” Sweetie Belle said and both of them gave a smile. The carriage took off, the Apples waved goodbye to the carriage at it exited the Port’s gate.

“Okay Applebloom we gots apples to sell….” Applejack said, “Applebloom???”.

“NUTS!”

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The previous evening……

“TALLON POOOOOOOOOOOOOORT!”

Twilight and her group rushed up to the front to see the griffon town slowly becoming larger. Rainbow sighed and braced herself in case Gilda was there. As the boat docked the griffon guards came up for the usual inspection. Once they were all clear they headed to the police post to inquire about the lost fillies.

“We already sent a message. They were not found. We searched every vessel that came by, and in the vicinity.” one guard told.

“But what if they left on another vessel? Did you all notice anything?” Twilight asked.

“We search everything that comes and goes here and we’re telling you nothing out of the ordinary occurred.”
.
“It’s no use Twi, we gotta look around ourselves.” Rainbow said.

“Okay Rainbow.” Twilight said with a sigh and the group left the post.

The mares went around the market area that was getting ready to close. It didn’t have much crowd but they asked a couple of vendors whether they saw the fillies. They each got a ‘no’. Rainbow was getting rather agitated at the fact Gilda could show up anytime so she was being quite weary of the scenes around her. Just then she saw a familiar presence.

“Rainbow Dash?”

“Mr. Gunther!” Rainbow exclaimed with surprise. Gunther was a huge burly griffon that had the same menacing eyes, or rather, eye like Gilda. He had on a patch over one eye that blocked a slash coming down his face. He seemed that he was a personality of great important around the port. He spoke with a rugged voice that would make many cower in his presence. However, he spoke rather politely.

“Please just Gunther. What’re you doing in Tallon Port?”

“I just came looking for someone. I-Is Gilda around?”

“Nope. She went out to sea with her cousin on business.” Rainbow sighed with relief. Twilight and the rest met up with Rainbow as she was speaking with Gunther.

“These are my friends Mr. Gunther. Everypony this is Mr. Gunther, Gilda’s father.”

“Pleasure. Why don’t you come by for some tea and something to eat?” Gunther said. Nopony could turn down his invitation. He was too menacing to oppose. They followed him to his house which was a pile of rock slabs put together to make a very tall oblong structure. Inside was more welcoming than the exterior as there were lamps that softly glowed. Fluttershy was rather annoyed about the griffon’s choice of interior decoration as there were carpets made from bear skin and other adoringly cute animals such as a chimaera and a manticore.

“Please settle down” the ponies settled on their haunches, on cushions, at the table and Gunther called for members of his crew to serve them. Tea was served to everypony and they gladly obliged as it was a luxury to have it in Equestria. An array of pastries came out as well. Croissants, apple fritters, scones and hot soup were served.

“Who are you looking for?” Gunther inquired.

“My little sister and her friend. We think they stowed away on a boat here a few days ago.” Rarity answered.

“Did you inquire with the police guards?”

“We did. But they said all was clear.” Rainbow said.

“I can assure you that the guards here are very meticulous. If anything happened out of the ordinary we would know.”

The ponies said nothing but nibbled a bit into the treats. They delighted at the taste. They savoured the moment of the apple fritters ticking their taste buds. Then Twilight spoke.

“Mr. Gunther...”

“Please just Gunther.”

“...Gunther... do you know the way into Argil?” There was a glint in Gunther’s eye. Twilight felt she brought something up she shouldn’t.

“How do you know about Argil?”

“...We met an earth pony a few days ago,” Twilight answered with hesitation, “He sailed here after that with our friend, Spike.”

“Spike is a pony?”

“No, a baby dragon. That’s how we lost Rarity’s sister and her friend. We think they might have followed them.”

“There is no way they can enter Argil. Unicorn and pegasi can’t venture there.”

“Why?” Rainbow asked.

“You are not aware of your history?” Gunther said with a raised brow.

“What we learn at school and the history books we have told us, one story. We only came across some old rare ones recently that tell something different.” Twilight said.

“What does it tell you?” Gunther asked and the group retold everything they learnt from the books in the hidden room.

“That’s the real story.” Gunther corrected. He let out a sigh, “there is a legend... that when the remainder of the earth ponies, led by Grey Willow, fled Equestria to escape the purging slaughter from the unicorn and pegasi, the earth light, prepared that land for them and carried them there. There are various levels of ancient mythical and mystical protection. An impenetrable force field spreads around it not allowing unicorn or pegasi to go even near it. There is always a great storm whenever we hear of unicorn or pegasi sailors who go in that direction. Sometimes a maelstrom would appear or giant sea serpents, on a really bad day, both. They always turn back or end up dead.”

“But you have been there?” Twilight asked.

“We have.”

“What’s it like?” Fluttershy inquired.

“It’s the most magnificent place to be,” he answered. Several griffons murmured and nodded in agreement, “Earth ponies have come a long way. They may not have magic or wings but their creativity and ingenuity has made their society highly advanced. It’s a shame they were oppressed for so long...”
The group frowned and felt somewhat ashamed on behalf of their ancestors.
“Gilda was born there you know. Their knowledge of medicine, potions, astronomy and technology is highly sophisticated. There’s advanced universities and libraries that are packed with books...” Twilight’s eyes sparkled at the idea of knowledge and books.
“...But for me personally, it’s about the food. The apple cider is simply the best especially from San Fratello. As a matter of fact, what you’re eating there is food recently brought from Argil.” Rainbow wanted to melt with that thought. But Gunther came back to the subject, he looked at Rarity.
“If your missing sister and friend has followed them, do not hope that they are still alive.” Gunther said. All the mares gasped in horror at Gunther’s words. Rarity and Fluttershy already had tears streaming from their eyes at the prospect that her sister may be dead. Rainbow’s face had changed to a dejected expression.

“But one thing I don’t understand... how is it that we in Equestria don’t know about Argil if it’s common knowledge outside?”

Gunther smiled menacingly, “Because we aren’t supposed to talk about Argil to Equestrians. It’s part of our trade pact. If any unicorn or pegasi knows about it, it’s passed off as a fable. Who would believe drunken sailors about Argil especially if they have never seen it?”

Twilight thought long and hard, “Gunther... we need to get into Argil.”

“After all that I just told you.”

“Yes but...”

“Okay, would you like to go in a coffin or a body bag?” Gunther said with a smirk and several griffons snickered, “It’s suicide. Supposing, just supposing, you do get past the barriers, you’ll still be dead. Earth ponies do not take kindly to unicorns or pegasi. The army there is merciless and will kill you.” Fluttershy and Rainbow gulped.

“But our society has changed!” Rarity said, “Those events that happened five hundred years ago have nothing to do with us!”

“Doesn’t matter. Do yourselves a favour. Go home. Wait for your friend. He’s safe... probably.”

Just then another griffon entered the house.
“Uncle! We found Garth floating on a plank off coast. He said he was blown off the ship Gilda was on. He said a great storm just suddenly appeared while on their way to...!” the griffon stopped when he saw Twilight and company.

“What?! Who else was on the ship?”

“Gunner and his crew. They were taking Braeburn and a little dragon back to get the shipment.” The griffon said and Gunther’s pupils dilated.

“PREPARE THE SHIP TO SAIL TO ARGIL NOW!” Twilight and company found themselves in the middle of hustling crewmen.

“Gunther! Gunther! Let us come with you! Spike was on that ship!!” Twilight said.

“No! The great storm was caused by your stowaway foals! I will not risk any endangerment to my ship, crew or me!.... It’s time you left now.” Gunther walked and opened the door. Twilight and the group begrudgingly left.

“Twilight, if Gunther is right.... Sw-Sweetie Belle, Spikey-Wikey....” Rarity began sobbing.

“Squirt.” Rainbow added, “Is there really no way into Argil? Are we really that much hated?”

“You are. But there may be a way....” said a slurred voice. The group spun around. It was an old griffon drunk sitting close by, “... do you really wanna know?”
Rainbow rolled her eyes.

“Come on Twi, let’s get outta here.” But Twilight was already approaching the drunk.

“How?”

“Simple. Maaaaaaaaaaagic.” and the griffon laughed.

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, I find it quite amusing that ponies such as you want to go into Argil. Isn’t it just peachy? Once upon a time you all thought of yourselves as dominant over the other and now here you are crawling on your bellies to get help from them. I should say isn’t this a twist of fate.” The griffon suddenly twisted his body which made the group startled. He then transformed into another peculiar body. He had different body parts but his head was that of a pony.

“Allow me to introduce myself. Discord at your service.”

Author's Note:

Okay, I wrote this over the weekend.

So here are my takes on this.
I put Big Mac to have a bigger role in the story. Don't you just find it boring to have just grey and white guards?? A red guard now that sumtun tuh see. And he's big and silent too. A silent one is a deadly one. EEEYUP.

Uncle Zeppelin is doing tap dancing and everyone joins in like river dance. I got one piece I really like but I can't find it on youtube. Waaah.

Comments

[chronocrosser]

Great Chapter!

I loved Applejack's reaction it seemed it was so authentic so her. As for the other earth ponies who may feel that way, I feel that those feeling's are in a way justified. While it is true that the earth pony slavery happened five hundred years ago and that has nothing to do with the current generation, they had had no contact with the unicorn or the pegasus for five hundred years either. I believe some of the earth ponies basically carry on the anger hate and the grudge of their ancestors from long past. The unicorn and pegasus went to war against the earth ponies in an attempt of genocide and that war was never declared over, in the earth ponies eyes anyway. They never even received so much as an apology. With no contact with unicorn or the pegasus they might have been safe but they had no chance to move on or let go of their grudge.

Long time grudges die hard if they ever die, and the earth ponies are known for their stubbornness. Probably any well educated could name at least eight different groups of real life people who have hated each other for over a hundred years, or even a basically educated person could name at least two different groups of real life people who have hated each other for over a hundred years. The truth is hatred does not just go away peace and change takes time a lot of time. If Spike and Twilight really want peace it will realistically take years if not decades to achieve it. After all if peace was easy everyone would do it.

I'll admit I saw Discord entering the story but not this soon. Why would Discord help them could it be with the great famine there was no chance to spread chaos in Equestria without dooming it and Discord is a trickster not a monster. And with the barrier surrounding Argil he could not get in or interfere with it's afars. Is it possible he is setting the stage to be his old trickster self. Well whatever his reason we will find out eventually. So Discord is going to help them why do I get the feeling what ever help he gives them will have a catch. Could it be that the predication I made about Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo will be transformed into earth ponies for their stay. Will be happening to Twilight and the girl's. Or will it be something else that I can't guess. well what ever deal he makes I have a feeling he will have a little chaotic string attached to it. That's what happens when you make a faustian pact.

I have to say Big Mac captain of the guards nice touch. He defiantly makes for a good military leader in my eyes. Calm and the strong silent type, never know what he's thinking. I picture him a by the book solder who tries to follow protocol while trying to do the right thing for his country and family.

It seems that the legend of Grey Willow got exaggerated some. Oh well true enough I suppose but do they also have the real story as well.

Knowing where Big Mac is makes me wonder where is Diamond Tiara and Filthy Rich and what are they doing. I assume they are still rich in this reality. And for that matter are their any Donkeys in Argil Cranky Doodle I'm assuming is their.

And finally all the Dash talk about how Gilda would kill Scootaloo if she found out their connection. Makes me wonder what happened in the past between Dash and Gilda I know the timeline changed so I have no idea what happened. and for that matter how or why did Mac join the Argil Guards instead of farming. Care to do flashback's to explain later.