First Impresions
Twilight Sparkle was in a great mood as she left her castle. She had finally completed a very stimulating research project on transductive post modern spell theory. It had been both challenging and insightful, and now after days cooped up in her lab she was looking forward to some quality time with her friends.
She hummed a happy tune to herself as she made her way through town at a leisurely pace, silently thanking the weather team for such a gorgeous day. It didn't take Twilight long though, to relies though that something wasn't quite right. "Where is every-pony?" Twilight quietly mused to her self. Looking around the market place, at what should have been a scene of organized chaos, was nothing. Not a single pony at their stalls selling various wares, no perspective purchasers haggling for best price, just nothing.
Twilight immediately scanned the area for Zecora, "Ugh really, Zecora's a friend of ours now. How many times do we have to go through this". Twilight groused. Before she had much more chance to lament on the thought, a pink blur shot out of Sugar Cube Corner, and in the time it took to blink, she now stood in the buildings interior.
"Pinkie Pie! What in the hay do you mff pmof ggnng". Twilight found it hard to complete her sentence, what with the pink hoof in her mouth after-all.
"Sshhh, it might hear you". The party pony exclaimed while running about checking various windows for any syne of activity. "Twilight you are so lucky I saw you before it did". Pinkie whisper hollered, "who knows what it it would do if it had seen you". Pinkie ran up to the princess and wrapped her in a near bone breaking hug.
"Pinkie, can't breath", Twilight gasped out. Noting her friends plight Pinkie quickly let go. Rubbing her sore rib cage the princess took in a several much needed deep breaths. "Pinkie what is wrong with you"? 'And every other pony for that matter' Twilight said, though the last part under her breath.
Pinkie was about to explain but simply gasped instead. Once again the princess found herself forcefully yanked from where she stood, this time to have her muzzle smushed against the glass of a window. "Look, look", Pinkie shout whispered to Twilight.
As Twilight blinked away the tears from her eyes, 'immortal alicorn or not having your muzzle smacked into a pane of glass still hurt'. She could finally make out what Pinkie Pie was trying to show her. The first was a mare, a unicorn mare at that. She was of average size, though very well toned, much more so than even AJ or Rainbow. The second thing she noticed was the strange creature with her. It was large, and bipedal, mostly lacking in hair. What little hair it had was atop its head. It had a small muzzle, so small she wondered how it could breath. Lastly she noted that it must be strong, very strong if the muscles she could beneath its clothing was to be any gauge.
"What, what is that thing?" Twilight pondered aloud. She, for all her scullery wisdom was at a loss. No where in any book had she ever heard of or seen any such creature. She continued to watch the two as her brain came up with scenario and hypothesis after hypothesis on how this creature came about and what it wanted.
Outside the strange creature and unicorn took in the sights of the now empty market area. 'Sigh' "Sword I told you this was a waste of time". The very human looking looking creature stated to his unicorn counter part. "No pony will ever..."
"Well howdy, my names Apple Bloom". A cheery young filly greeted them. Shock overtook the two as they beheld their small ambassador of good will. "You must be new round these parts, hoo-wee you sure are a tall one mister. You are a mister ah hope, otherwise I apologize. Just never seen nothin like you before".
The two couldn't help but chuckle at the little filly before them. The unicorn mare whose light blue fur and silver main sparkled in the mid day sun, greeted the young filly. "Well hello there Apple Bloom, my name is Sword". The unicorn mare said to the young filly while extending her hoof in greeting. Applebloom gave the offered hoof a few gentle shakes, while Sword continued her introductions. "And this here walking mountain is my brother Courage". Courage nodded his head in greeting and extended one of his strange forelegs and paw for Applebloom to shake.
Before any pony could register what was happening, Applejack charged seemingly out of nowhere towards the unwelcome newcomers and firmly bucked the tall one in the gut. A sharp pain radiated up her hind hooves and legs from the impact. Applejack hissed in pain as she glared at the tall creature that hadn't budged an inch from her kick.
Sword was completely dumbfounded, looking back and forth from Courage to Applejack and back. Her face showing several changes of emotion. First was surprise, than confusion, than at last settled on anger. "How dare you, you filthy stallion abuser"! Sword screamed while reeling back preparing to teach this filthy earth pony a lesson she would not soon forget.
"Don't even think about it! Despite how much I might enjoy watching you two hot mares wrestle, I'm not about to let my mare-friend get hurt". A raspy voice called from above, followed by a rainbow coloured blur that came to a sudden stop beside the orange earth pony. The light blue pegasus with rainbow coloured mane and tail stood crouched, with wings spread wide. "I don't know who you are or what that thing is". Rainbow said while glaring daggers at the two newcomers. "What I can tell you though, is that your in for a world of hurt for messing with The Dash and her friends".