> A Guards Tale
>  by Sentinel Shield
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> A Royal Assignment: Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sentinel trotted nervously through the castle that stood tall over Canterlot, the castle of Princess Celestia, the castle he was meant to protect. He was a Royal Guard, a role to be proud of! His cutie mark showed it, with a sword raised proud with the sun and moon behind it. It represented his purpose, to protect Celestia who raised the sun and moon and the ponies who bask beneath the sun and moon. At least, that's what he and most others interpret.

However, he was not the best guard. He was seemingly always being reprimanded by the Captain of the Guard, Shining Armor for just about everything. He fell asleep at his post, his armor wasn't polished, he was marching sloppily. If you can think of something, he was yelled at for it. Now, Celestia always covered for him. She covered for everypony on the guard, but even Sentinel thought her patience was running thin as she had asked to speak with him personally. Dread filled his mind as he thought about if he was fired, what if he was forced to get a regular job? This was his calling! The dread worsened as he approached the throne room, two guards standing in front of it and smiling at him.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Sentinel Snooze. Somepony finally found a reason to stay awake?" One of the guards mocked.

"Very funny Steel, maybe you should be a comedian instead of a Guard" Sentinel replied.

"I'm not the one who should be looking for a new line of work, am I?"

"Whatever, we'll see who's laughing when I'm Captain one day" Sentinel said, walking past them as he opened the doors to the large throne room.

"Maybe you should be a comedian!" Steel replied as he and the other guard began laughing, the door closing being the only thing to silence them.

Sentinel walked towards the throne of Celestia, taking off his helmet and kneeling before her. "Princess, you summoned me?"

Celestia smiled. "Ah, Sentinel Shield..How are you, my little pony?"

Sentinel stood up. "Fine, thank you. But you wanted to see me?"

"Indeed I did, I have noticed you seem to be...Slacking off on your duties as a guard, are you feeling sick?"

"No, it's just...I don't know.." Sentinel replied, trying to string together an excuse.

"It seems that you do not have a reason for this lack of effort.." Celestia flew off her throne and landed next to the stallion. "You know that I cannot have my guards be lazy, unless you want to see me and all my little ponies put in danger"

"Of course not, I'll try harder! I promise!"

"You have promised me before, but that seems to not have worked.." Celestia spoke, as she used magic to gently nudge Sentinel to start walking with her. "You know what I must do.."

"F-fire me?" Sentinel asked nervously.

"Goodness no! Where did you ever get that idea?" She laughed, as they walked out of the throne room and down the halls of the castle. "No, that would be foolish..I have a much better idea.."

"A demotion?" Sentinel asked.

"Not a demotion, some would think this a promotion actually. You are being assigned to a very important mission, it involves the Summer Sun Celebration"

"Summer Sun Celebration, but I thought you had already picked the Guards to secure Ponyville" Sentinel said.

"I have, but I have another job that needs to be done...You know my prized pupil Twilight Sparkle, yes?"

Sentinel knew Twilight a little, sometimes she would ask him to help carry books but she did that with most guards that were close by when she was carrying books from the castle library to her residence in Canterlot. "I know her from a few interactions, but why do you ask?"

"Well, she is nervous that Nightmare Moon may return and has been reading more than usual about it. Not to mention all the letters she has sent me on it."

"Nightmare Moon? Isn't that an old bedtime story to keep little colts and fillies from misbehaving?" Sentinel questioned.

"Regardless, I'm sending her to Ponyville to oversee the preparations and I would like you to be her royal escort." Celestia said, barely acknowledging what he said.

"Me? But why?" Sentinel asked, confused at why he would be given such an important task.

"I believe it is just what you need to prove yourself and be the guard I know you can be, perhaps all you need is a new environment to restart the passion you had when a young colt first trying for the guard"

"Celestia I..I don't know what to say..." Sentinel was speechless.

"Say that you will not fail me in this task" She smiled, summoning a note and handing it to him. "Return to your barracks and leave your armor, then go to the address on the note and meet with Twilight. After that you are to listen to her orders."

"I will not let you down, Princess" He saluted her, before quickly trotting off to get ready.





Sentinel trotted down the streets of Canterlot, saddlebag on as he trotted up to the building the note had led him to. It was big and looked like it could house an entire family plus more, no way only one pony lived here. He walked up and knocked on the door, the door opened and he saw the violet mare known as Twilight Sparkle standing in the doorway. "Hello, my name is-" He spoke before the door was slammed on his face, he stood dazed and confused at this for a brief minute before knocking again.

Twilight opened the door. "What? I'm a very busy pony!"

Sentinel cleared his throat. "My name is Sentinel Shield, I have been sent on behalf of Princess Celestia to escort you from now until after the Summer Sun Celebration" He handed her the letter.

Twilight read over it. "So, you listen to my command?"

"Yep! I am your own personal-"

"Then you are dismissed, I do not need an escort" She began shutting the door.

Sentinel used his magic to stop the door. "That's not how that works, I am under orders from Celestia"

Twilight sighed. "Fine, come in but don't touch anything" Twilight opened the door, allowing Sentinel to enter.

"Whoa, this place is huge!" Sentinel walked in, immediately looking at the massive collection of books.

"Well, you can't exactly fit a library in a regular house" Twilight said, walking over to a small purple dragon who was reading a comic. She took the comic from him and introduced him. "This is Spike, my lovely assistant!"

"Twilight I was reading-" Spike began, before noticing Sentinel. "Uh, who dat?"

"Sentinel Shield, I'm Twilight's personal guard for now" He walked over to the dragon and extended a hoof.

"Nice to meet you!" Spike shook Sentinel's hoof. "But, why?"

"Well, Celestia thought I'd be good for easing Twilight's worries about Nightmare Moon returning"

"Don't know why, not as if you can do much when she does" Twilight said, grabbing her saddlebag. "Now come on, we don't wanna be late!" Twilight said, as she walked back towards the front door.

Spike and Sentinel followed her outside, waiting a short distance from her house as a chariot came into view and landed. The trio walked towards it, then one of the Pegasus spoke up.

"Sentinel Snooze? You're the escort?" It was Steel, guess he was on transport duty.

"Sentinel Snooze?" Twilight questioned.

"You don't know? Sentinel is probably one of the worst guards in the force!"

"No I'm not!" Sentinel yelled out.

"Yeah you are! Celestia only did this so somepony good at their job can take over your post!"

"She did not! She told me-" Sentinel tried to defend himself before Steel cut him off.

"She only told you what she wants you to hear, face it Sentinel! You are no Royal Guar-"

"Hey! Leave him alone!" Twilight spoke up. "We should have left by now, but you cannot act professional for five minutes! We are going to be behind schedule! Now I want you to fly back and tell Celestia to send a better Pegasus!"

Steel and everypony around was stunned into silence by Twilight, Steel however relented and left quickly. Another Pegasus replaced him and they left hurriedly. As they flew through the air, Sentinel looked at Twilight.

"So, going to explain what that was about?"

"Explain?" Twilight responded in confusion.

"You know, how you exploded on Steel?"

"Oh that? Well, if he was going to be a bully then he can face Celestia's disappointment. And trust me, she's not going to like the fact he made a scene in front of her prized student" Twilight replied.

"Well, thanks for stepping in and defending me like that" Sentinel thanked her.

"Hey, he was making us late! I had to do something!"

"Don't worry, I'll make sure we get ahead of schedule to make up for it" Sentinel said with a wink and a smile.





"So, that's Ponyville?" Sentinel asked, as they neared the small town from up above.

"Yep.." Twilight responded, a bit apathetically.

"Oh come on, lighten up a bit! Doesn't look all bad!" Sentinel replied as they now flew over the town.

"Yeah, and look on the bright side, Twilight. The Princess arranged for you to stay in a library. Doesn't that make you happy?" Spike asked.

Twilight perked up at this. "Yes, yes it does. You know why? Because I'm right! I'll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then get to the library to find some proof of Nightmare Moon's return" She said as they began to land.

"But, what about the "friends" part?" Sentinel questioned.

"Yeah, the Princess said to-"

"She said to check on preparations. I am her student, and I'll do my royal duty, but the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends." Twilight cut Spike off as they finally landed, stepping off she thanked the two Pegasus that transported them.

"Come on Twilight! Just give the ponies of Ponyville a chance, maybe they have some interesting things to say!" Spike said, as a Pink pony trotted towards them. "Come on, just try it!"

"Uh...hello?" Twilight asked, causing the Pink pony to jump up and gasp before they quickly zoomed past them. The two unicorns and dragon look confusingly in the direction she ran off in.

"You were right Spike, very interesting.." Sentinel said, as Twilight turned and began walking. Soon he and Spike began to follow as they began checking on the preparations.

The first stop on the list was for the banquet, and it led them to somewhere called "Sweet Apple Acres" which was a rather large farm on the edge of town. It was surrounded by hundreds if not thousands of apple trees, and unlike ponyville it had dirt paths. As they arrived on the farm, they heard someone shout.

"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAW!"

They quickly turned to see an orange coated mare wearing a cowboy hat running towards an apple tree, she stopped in front of it and turned. Bucking the tree with her back legs, Sentinel swore every apple fell out of the tree and into the baskets below.

Twilight let out a sigh. "Let's get this over with" She said, her head low as she approached. Sentinel and Spike followed as she raised her head to speak. "Good afternoon, my name is Twilight Sparkle-"

She was cut off by the orange mare shaking her hoof energetically. "Well, howdy-doo, Miss Twilight, a pleasure makin' your acquaintance. I'm Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like makin' new friends!" She said as she continued to shake Twilight's hoof.

"Friends? Actually, I—" Twilight said before the shaking abruptly stopped, she looked to see Sentinel using both hooves to hold both mare's arms steady.

"Ahem!" He cleared his throat. "Apologies miss Applejack, but Twilight Sparkle would prefer it if you toned it down a little" Sentinel said, letting go and allowing both mares to pull their arms back.

"My apologies Twilight" She looked at the Unicorn Stallion. "And who might you be?"

"I am Sentinel Shield, Royal Escort for Twilight Sparkle while she overlooks preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration!" He said proudly, putting a hoof on his chest.

"Oh, is that why yer here?" Applejack asked.

Twilight rolled her eyes at what Sentinel said. "We are here to check on the food, you're in charge of it, correct?" She asked Applejack.

"We sure as sugar are! Would you care to sample some?"

"As long as it doesn't take too long..." Twilight replied, as Applejack zoomed off and began ringing a rather old looking triangle.

"Soup's on, everypony!" She yelled, as a rumbling began.

Twilight, Sentinel and Spike turned around, only to be greeted by a stampede of ponies running all around them. They even found themselves being pushed forward by the group as dust was kicked up all around them. When the dust finally cleared, they found themselves sitting at a table between some trees.

"Now-" Applejack popped up beside them. "Why don't I introduce you to the Apple family?"

"Thanks, but I really need to hurry—" Twilight said before being cut off once again, food being put on the table as Applejack introduced her family.

"This here's Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp-" Applejack took a deep breath. "Big McIntosh, Apple Bloom aaaaaaaaaand-" She shoved a Granny Smith into Sentinel's mouth for extra effect. "Granny Smith. Up'n'attem, Granny Smith, we got guests." She spoke to a rather old looking pony, rocking in a rocking chair.

The old pony snorted as they woke up. "Wha..? Soup's on? I'm up, here I come, ahm comin'..." She said, as she got up and walked over.

Sentinel crunched down and swallowed the apple. "Hmmm, juicy.."

Applejack then put a hoof around Twilight. "Why, I'd say you're already part of the family!"

Twilight began nervously laughing. "Okay, well, I can see the food situation is handled, so we'll be on our way.." She turned and looked at Sentinel whose mouth was watering over the food. "Sentinel.."

Sentinel snapped out of it. "R-right! Sorry everypony, but we must be on our way!"

"Aren't you gonna stay for brunch?" The young and earlier named Apple Bloom said, giving them puppies eyes.

"Well I uh, you see ummm" Sentinel mumbled out.

"Sorry, but we have an awful lot to do..." Twilight said. as the entire Apple family gave off a disappointed sigh.

"Oh come on Twilight, maybe just a few minutes wouldn't hurt?" Sentinel asked, cracking from the pressure. 

Twilight tried to stand firm, but even she finally broke. "Fine..."

The Apple family broke out in joyous cheers, as Twilight, Sentinel and Spike tried every last dish they had. Before finally leaving to continue the preparations. They returned to town, as Spike checked the list.

"Food's all taken care of, next is weather" Spike said, as Twilight tailed behind them.

"Ugh... I ate too much pie..." Twilight said, as Sentinel walked beside her to ensure he did not fail in his task and kept her safe.

"Hmm, there's supposed to be a Pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds." Spike said, as they all looked up.

"Well, she's not doing a very good job, is she?" Twilight pointed out as they noticed all the clouds hanging above them.

"TWILIGHT LOOK OUT!" Sentinel yelled, pushing her out of the way as a blur of rainbow crashed into him. Sending him into a nearby mud-puddle with a loud SPLAT. Twilight and Spike looked towards where he was now laying, in a pool of mud with a cyan Pegasus on-top of him.

The Pegasus stood up and looked at Sentinel, and let out a small chuckle before leaning down towards him. "Uh, 'scuse me?" She said, still sheepishly laughing as she flew up and began floating above him.

"Ugh..I feel like Celestia herself just slapped me.." Sentinel said, as he sat up. He looked up at the Pegasus rather angrily.

"Lemme help you." They said, still laughing as they floated over a cloud and bounced on it. This caused the cloud to rain water on Sentinel, washing the mud off but soaking him fully. "Oops, I guess I overdid it. Um, uh, how about this? My very own patented Rain-Blow Dry!" The Pegasus spoke as she began flying around Sentinel so fast that it caused a rainbow twister to appear and blow away all the water, when she was done she landed. "No no. Don't thank me. You're quite welcome."

Sentinel continued to give her an angry glare as now his mane was frizzled and messy, it looked like a brown bush was on his head. The Pegasus began laughing, falling to the ground, soon Spike joined in.

"Stop laughing! Both of you!" Sentinel shouted angrily.

"Oh come on, lighten up a little.." Twilight said, a bit mockingly.

"She nearly crashed into you and did crash into me! She messed up my mane and now she's laughing! I will-"

"Sentinel! I command you, calm down!" Twilight said, noticing how mad he was getting.

"Woah dude, chill out! It's just some harmless fun" The Pegasus said, as Sentinel gritted his teeth. 

"So, guessing you're Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked.

"The one and only! Why, have you heard of me?" She said, as she now hovered next to Twilight.

"I heard you were supposed to be keeping the sky clear" Twilight said, before sighing. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the Princess sent me to check on the weather" She then pointed toward Spike and Sentinel. "This is Sentinel Shield, a Royal Guard and my escort. That's Spike, my assistant."

"Wait a second" Rainbow flew back over to Sentinel, getting right into his face. "You're a Royal Guard?"

"Yes, I am" He replied coldly, trying to bottle up his still existent anger.

"Does that mean you get to talk with the Wonderbolts?!"

"Uh, yeah. They do come around the castle from time to time, and one time-" Sentinel continued before Rainbow Squealed.

"Can you help me meet them during the Summer Sun Celebration! I'm actually practicing right now for when they are here!"

Sentinel laughed. "You? You can't even keep the sky clear!" He said, pointing up at the sky.

"Pfft, I could clear the sky in ten seconds flat.." Rainbow smugly replied.

"Prove it"

"You are sooo on!" Rainbow Dash said, before zooming across the sky. She flipped and did loops as she cleared the sky of every last cloud. In exactly ten seconds the sky was clear and she landed in front of Sentinel. "Ten. Seconds. Flat."

Sentinel and Twilight looked at her, jaws hanging in pure shock. Rainbow Dash laughed as she flew backwards. "You should see the look on your face. Ha!" She then quickly zoomed between the two. "You two are a laugh, can't wait to hang out some more!" She then flew off.

"She's amazing!" Spike said, turning to the two before a slight laugh escaped as Sentinel's still goofy and puffed up mane. Twilight then led them inside what Sentinel believed to be city hall, it was beautifully decorated. Flowers, banners, it was amazing!

"Beautiful..." Spike said dreamily.

"Yes, the décor is coming along nicely. This ought'a be quick. I'll be at the library in no time. Beautiful indeed" Twilight said as they looked around.

"Not the décor, her!" Spike pointed towards a white Unicorn with a purple mane who was sorting ribbons. His eyes were hearts as he began making sure he looked nice. "How are my spines? Are they straight?"

Twilight rolled her eyes as she approached the Unicorn. "Good afternoon-"

"Just a moment, please! I'm 'in the zone', as it were. Oh, yes! Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why, Rarity, you are a talent." She said as she placed a sparkling and red ribbon on a pole, she turned and looked at the group. "Now how can I help yooooooahahaah!" She said, looking at Sentinel. "Oh my stars, darling! Whatever happened to your coiffure?!"

"My what?" He then noticed her eyes on his mane. "Oh, my mane? Long story but unrelated"

"Very long story, we're just here to check on the decorations. Then we'll be out of your hair" Twilight said.

"Out of my hair? What about his hair!" She walked by and began nudging Sentinel forward.

"Wait what? Where are you taking me?" He said as Twilight sighed and followed along with Spike. Soon, they found themselves in a rather fancy hybrid of a house and tailor as Rarity used magic to give both Sentinel and Twilight new outfits.

"Nope..No...too green...too yellow...retro, blegh!" Rarity said, as she continued to swap out outfits with magic. "So tell me again darlings, where are you two from?"

"Uhh, Canterlot.." Twilight replied.

Rarity let out a gasp. "Canterlot! Oh, I am so envious! The glamour, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear all about it! We are gonna be the best of friends, you and I..." She said, getting closer to Twilight before looking at the outfit she gave her. "Emeralds?! What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!" She said before running off.

Sentinel threw off his outfit, luckily his mane was back to normal. "Quick! Before she gets out hair dye or something!"

Twilight and Sentinel began running, Twilight picking up Spike on the way. Luckily they managed to escape the fashionista and were back on track..sorta..

"What's next Spike?" Twilight asked.

"Oh uhhh.." Spike got out the list. "Music! It's the last one.."

"Good, I will be on high alert to make sure nothing bad happens.." Sentinel said, a bit embarrassed at not being able to stand firm all day. First it was the Apple Family, then Rainbow Dash showing him up and now this Rarity situation.

They stopped as they heard whistling, making their way towards it, they saw a yellow Pegasus leading a choir of birds. "Oh my. Um, stop please, everyone-" They said softly, as they then flew over to a blue-jay. "umm. Excuse me, sir? I mean no offense, but your rhythm is just a teeny-tiny bit off. Now, follow me, please. A-one, a-two, a-one two three-"

"Hello!" Twilight said, walking towards the Pegasus and accidentally scaring off the birds. "Oh my, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to frighten your birds. I'm just here to check up on the music and it's sounding beautiful" She said as the Pegasus landed quietly....They just stood there for a moment...no one saying anything...in awkward silence...."I'm Twilight Sparkle" Twilight said, breaking the quiet for a second before it resumed......."What's your name?" She then asked.

"Uhm..I'm Fluttershy.." She meekly said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that.."

"I'm Fluttershy..." She said again, this time more of a mumble.

"Pardon?" Twilight spoke.

Fluttershy simply squealed, turning her head away and slightly walking back as her birds returned.

"Well, um, it looks like your birds are back, so I guess everything's in order. Keep up the good work!" Twilight tried to say encouragingly. Only getting more squeaking as a response.

"Well that was something.." Twilight said to Spike and Sentinel who walked from behind the cover of the bush.

Fluttershy gasped before quickly rushing over, bumping into the back of Twilight and sending her flying. " A baby dragon!"

"Twilight!" Sentinel quickly backed up and caught her...Well, more so had himself be a cushion for her to land on..

"Oh, I've never seen a baby dragon before. He's sooo cute!" Fluttershy said.

Spike turned and looked at Sentinel and Twilight. "Well, well, well...!"

"Oh my, he talks. I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful I, I just don't even know what to say!" Fluttershy said in response to Spike.

Twilight recovered and used magic to place Spike back on her back. "Well, in that case we'd better be going..." She said as they began to walk away.

"Wait, wait! What's his name?" Fluttershy asked.

"I'm Spike!"

"Hello Spike, I'm Fluttershy. Wow, a talking dragon! And what do dragons talk about?" She asked.

"Well, what do you wanna know?" Spike asked her.

"Everything.." Fluttershy responded.

Twilight sighed, as they walked down the road back into town and towards the library the princess was having them stay at as Spike told his life story.

"..and that's the story of my whole entire life! Well, up until today. Do you wanna hear about today?" Spike asked after finishing.

Before Fluttershy could respond, Sentinel spoke up. "Well look at the time!" He walked next to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, right? It's getting really late..You best be off. The Summer Sun Celebration is soon!"

"Oh no, that's quite alright..I still have spare time!" Fluttershy said in response.

"Well uhhh, oh! My poor little dragon needs his sleep.." Twilight said, bumping Spike off her back. "See? He's so sweepy he can't even keep his widdle bawance!"

Fluttershy quickly flew over and picked him up. "Poor thing, you simply must get into bed..." She said, flying inside as Twilight and Sentinel quickly followed after her.

Sentinel gently pushed her outside. "He sure does! Twilight will get right on that! Have a good day!" He said before slamming the door shut and letting out a sigh of relief.

"Thanks Sentinel, took you long enough to stand up to one of them" Twilight said as they walked around in the dark.

"Rude much?" Spike said.

"Sorry, Spike, but I have to convince the Princess that Nightmare Moon is coming, and we're running out of time! I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time." Twilight said as she walked around the dark room. "Now, where's the light?" She said, as the lights flicked on and the three found themselves surrounded by ponies.

"SURPRISE!" They all shouted as balloons and confetti rained down.

Twilight let out a groan as Sentinel looked around. Before the pink pony from when they first arrived hopped in front of them. "Surprise!" She blew a party whistle. "Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh huh huh?"

"How did you know we'd be here? That information was classified!" Sentinel asked, seemingly being ignored.

"Oh don't be silly! You dropped a letter saying you'd be here!" She handed him the letter from Celestia he was given so he'd know the directions. Twilight looked at him annoyed and he blushed.

"We are very surprised, libraries are supposed to be quiet.." Twilight said.

“Well, that's silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, bo-ring! Y'see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all "hello" and I was all-" Pinkie gasped deeply, continuing to tell her story as she followed Twilight over to a table with drinks. "remember? Y'see I've never saw you before and if I've never saw you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville!" Pinkie Pie continued as Twilight accidentally drank hot sauce. "And if you're new, that meant you haven't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, then I had an idea, and that's why I went-" She took a deep breath "I must throw a great big ginormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!" Pinkie Pie finally finished as Twilight turned around, her face red from the hot sauce. Her mane caught fire as she rushed off upstairs. "Aww, she's so happy she's crying!"

Sentinel used magic to float the bottle she had poured over to him "Hot sauce?"

"OOooooh!" Pinkie took it and poured a heap onto a cupcake before eating it whole. "What? It's good!"

After a while of trying to disperse the party, Sentinel gave up and went to find Twilight. Making his way upstairs he opened a door, music blaring as he did. "Twilight? Are you here?" He closed the door behind him.

"What do you want, Sentinel?"

"I uh.." He didn't really have much to say. "I just want to apologize..."

Twilight rolled over and looked off the side of her bed. "Apologize?"

"Yeah, for..." He sighed. "For failing you.."

"Failing me? How?" She asked.

"Well, I was assigned as your personal guard! I was meant to make sure everything went smoothly and no harm came to you! Instead, I was lazy and cowardly..If I just did my job right none of this-"

"Hey, stop that" Twilight said, cutting him off. He looked up at her, the moon light glowing behind her as she sighed. "Look, it's not your fault that every pony in this town is crazy. You tried your best and I thank you for that.." She sighed again. "Though, I can't say I'm all too happy I didn't get the chance to study up more on Nightmare Moon and the Elements of Harmony...Let's hope the Princess was right about it being an old pony tale.."

They stood in silence as Twilight looked out her window at the moon, the silence persisted until Spike came knocking. "Come on you two! The Princess is about to raise the sun!"

Twilight got down from her bed. "Alright then let's go.." She said, as they began walking towards the city hall. Soon they found themselves part of a massive crowd of ponies. They all waited in silence before music began playing and a spotlight came down on a mare with a gray mane standing on stage.

"Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!" She said, causing ponies to erupt in cheers except for Twilight and Sentinel..

Twilight took notice that Sentinel was looking around the room. "What's wrong?" She asked.

"I don't know but...my instincts are telling me somethings wrong.." He looked around, he didn't see anything out of the ordinary but something in his gut said something was wrong.

"Are you sure?"

"I don't know for sure...But I don't like this feeling.." Sentinel said, as the mayor continued.

"In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year!" As the mayor spoke, Twilight looked at the moon. Her expression grew sour as the Mare in the Moon disappeared. "And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..." The spot light moved to a higher up balcony as Rarity pulled back the curtains. "Princess Celestia!"

However, when the curtains pulled back Celestia was nowhere to be seen. Sentinel's heart dropped as ponies began murmuring. "This can't be good.." Twilight commented as Sentinel looked at her.

"I told you something wasn't right!" He quietly shouted.

"Remain calm, everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation!" The mayor said as ponies continued to chatter.

"Ooh, ooh, I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" Pinkie Pie asked, looking around.

"She's gone!" Rarity said, having gone to search for her.

Everyone gasped, and the chatter continued. Sentinel continued looking around, something had to be wrong. That's when he too noticed the moon. "Twi-Twilight...." He said nervously. "Where is the Mare in the Moon?" he asked as he heard Pinkie Pie yelp in terror. Looking at the balcony he saw a dark blue-ish mist arise, it almost looked like the night sky. He watched in terror as out of it a jet-black alicorn with armor on took form, looking down at everyone.

"Nightmare Moon..." Twilight said, as Spike fainted.

"Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces." The Alicorn spoke, everypony had a look of fear on their faces.

"What did you do with our Princess?!" Rainbow Dash shouted as Applejack held her back.

The Alicorn laughed. "Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?"

"Ooh, ooh, more guessing games!" Pinkie Pie said, cheerfully. "Um, Hokey Smokes! How about... Queen Meanie! No! Black Snooty, Black Snooty—" She was stopped by Applejack shoving a cupcake in her mouth.

"Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?" She said mockingly.

"I did!" Twilight shouted. "And I know who you are, you're the Mare in the Moon! Nightmare Moon!"

Everyone gasped, as Nightmare Moon smiled. "Well well well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here." She said in a sinister tone.

"You're here to... to..." Twilight went silent and swallowed hard.

Nightmare Moon laughed once more. "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!" She shouted and began laughing, her mane became a storm of thunder and lightning. Everypony looked at her in fear as she laughed.
> A Royal Assignment: Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nightmare Moon laughed as her mane made itself into a storm, thunder and lighting cracked. Sentinel looked around at the panicked faces, ponies young and old in fear of her.

"Seize her! Only she knows where the Princess is!" Mayor Mare shouted, as Royal Guard Pegasus flew towards Nightmare Moon.

"Stand back, you fools!" Nightmare Moon shouted as her eyes glowed, she laughed as lightning struck the Pegasus Guards.

"Sentinel, do something!" Twilight yelled, looking at him.

"Me? What am I going to do? You said yourself, I'm useless in this situation!" Sentinel reminded her.

"The Princess is in danger! Do something!" Twilight told him.

Sentinel looked up at Nightmare Moon, his body was frozen in fear as he looked at her, she was a real nightmare.

Nightmare Moon noticed the look of pure fear, and laughed. "What's wrong "Royal Guard?'' Aren't you going to try and stop me?"

"Ha-how did you-" He was cut off by thunder.

"I know a lot of things.." She said, turning into a cloud of smoke that floated down in front of him. She reformed from the cloud and now towered above him. "Go on, stop me. Save your precious princess, defend Twilight. Go ahead"

Sentinel shook like a scared colt, he slowly backed up, tripping and falling on his butt. Nightmare Moon laughed at this "Brave" guard and then looked at Twilight. "Maybe I should take her prisoner?" She said, looking at Twilight.

"N-no!" Sentinel said, standing up. His horn glowed. "I won't let-" He spoke before thunder struck in front of him, throwing him backwards. As he crashed to the ground, Nightmare Moon laughed and flew away in a cloud of smoke.

"Get back here!" Rainbow Dash shouted, flying after her.

"Sentinel!" Twilight ran over and helped him to stand, his head still spinning from being knocked back.

"I-I couldn't stop her!" He said, in a nervous and panicked tone. "I-I froze, she could have-"

"Hey, it's alright" Twilight tried to calm him. "You did what you could, it's Nightmare Moon after all"

"You don't understand Twilight! I failed, I had the chance to prove myself and I failed!" He stamped a hoof down angrily. "What kind of Royal Guard am I?"

"The Guard who was ready to fight Nightmare Moon when she threatened me, you haven't failed yet. We can still stop her!" Twilight informed him.

"How?" He asked.

She took him by the hoof. "Follow me!" She said, picking up Spike and placing him on her back. She then began running with Sentinel out of city hall and back to Golden Oaks Library. After putting Spike to sleep she and Sentinel began looking through books. "Elements, elements, elements.." She repeated, looking through books quickly. "Sentinel, please tell me you have something?"

Sentinel looked through books. "Nope, nothing about these "Elements of Harmony" you speak of.."

Twilight let out a frustrated groan. "How can we stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?!"

Just then, out of nowhere, Rainbow Dash was in her face. "And what are the Elements of Harmony?" She spoke, pushing Twilight to back up. "And how did you know about Nightmare Moon? Are you a-"

Sentinel quickly jumped in front of Rainbow Dash. "Do not dare threaten Twilight!" Sentinel said, angrily glaring at her and now doing what she did to Twilight. "You bust in here, get in her face and try to accuse her of things? Why I outta-" Twilight quickly pulled Sentinel back by the tail, as Rainbow was pulled back by Applejack.

"Simmer down you two! Bigger problems!" Applejack said, soon being joined by Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. "Twilight, you know what's going on?" She asked.

"I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon" Twilight began to explain. "Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them. I don't even know what they do!" She finally finished as Pinkie Pie walked over to a bookshelf.

"The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide" She said, as Twilight pushed her out of the way.

"How did you find this?!" She asked, as Pinkie Pie hopped around.

"It was under "E"!" She said, jumping around.

Twilight face-hoofed before she opened the book and began reading. "There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said, the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now..The Everfree Forest.."

"THE EVERFREE FOREST?" Every other pony but Sentinel shouted in horror.

"The what?" Sentinel questioned.

"The Everfree forest is the creepiest, nastiest, most terrifying place in all of Equestria!" Pinkie Pie told him.

"Well, the fate of Equestria is in the balance. Let's go Twilight!" Sentinel said before pausing. "Uhhh, where exactly is it?"

After being led to the forest, Twilight stood at the front of the group as they all looked into the forest. Each of them wore varying degrees of fear on their faces, all except Pinkie who seemed eager for an adventure. "Whee! Let's go!" She said before hopping forward.

"Not so fast" Twilight said, causing her to stop. "Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this on my own"

"Are you nuts?" Sentinel was the first to speak. "Mission or not, I'm not letting you go alone"

"Sentinel's right, we sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone. We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple'' Applejack affirmed. As she led Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow into the forest.

"Especially if there's candy apples in there!" Pinkie said, getting no reaction out of Twilight or Sentinel. "What? Those things are good!" She said as she hopped into the forest.

"Let's go Twilight, we got a job to do.." Sentinel said as he began to walk.

Twilight sighed and followed in, soon taking the lead of the group and walking ahead of everyone. After a while of walking, Twilight turned to ask. "So, none of you have been in here before?"

"Heavens no!" Rarity said, a terror in her tone. "Just look at it! It's dreadful!" She pointed to the scenery around them.

"And it ain't natural. Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria" Applejack added on.

"Uh, wanna explain a bit?" Sentinel asked.

"Nopony knows. You know why?" Rainbow said, staking towards Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rarity.

"Rainbow, knock it off" Sentinel said, annoyed.

"Because everypony who's ever come in has never come out!" Rainbow said, as the ground began to shake and soon gave away. Everyone screamed in horror as they rolled down the rocky hill.

"Fluttershy! Quick!" Rainbow shouted as they flew and managed to grab Pinkie and Rarity, Applejack managed to grab onto a stray root. However, Sentinel and Twilight continued to slide towards a cliff.

Sentinel looked around for anything as they reached closer to the cliff's edge, seeing no other option he turned to Twilight. "Promise me you'll stop this!" He shouted to her, as the edge came closer every second.

"Sentinel, what do you-" Suddenly, she jolted to a stop as a gold-magical aura surrounded her. She looked at Sentinel as he continued sliding towards the edge, his horn now glowing. She watched as he slid over the side and was left hanging on for dear life.

"Sentinel, hold on!" Applejack said as she slid down, grabbing Twilight along the way. She reached down and grabbed Sentinel by the hooves and tried to pull him up.

Twilight attempted to use her magic to pull him up, but it wasn't working. "I-I can't pull you up!"

Applejack looked around, then looked at Sentinel. "Sentinel...let go.."

"ARE YOU INSANE?" Twilight and Sentinel said.

"Trust me, I promise you'll be fine" Applejack assured him.

"I'm sorry, are we looking at the same deadly drop of doom?" Sentinel replied.

"Sentinel, I know it sounds crazy. But I am telling you the honest and only truth..trust me.."

Sentinel took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and let go. He screamed as he fell through the air until he stopped. He opened his eyes and saw that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had caught him, lowering him to the ground safely. As they did so, Applejack helped Twilight descend from the cliff side safely.

"I don't understand.." Sentinel said, as his hooves finally touched solid ground once more. "How did you know they'd save me?" He asked as Applejack finished climbing down, Twilight on her back.

"I told ya, you just gotta have a bit more faith" Applejack said, as Twilight got off of her.

"You're welcome" Rainbow Dash said, giving Sentinel a mocking smile.

Sentinel rolled his eyes as they continued on their way, Rainbow proceeding to tell them exactly what just happened a minute ago.

"And then you were all like "AAAAH!" and I was like "ZOOM!" and me and Fluttershy caught you and-" Rainbow Dash said as she landed next to Sentinel.

"Yes, yes, you saved me from certain doom..Can we just-" A loud stomp cut Sentinel off, as the entire group looked ahead. In front of them stood a massive beast, the head and body of a lion, the wings of a dragon and a scorpion tail.

Twilight gasped in shock. "A Manticore!" She said, as it bellowed a mighty roar.

Sentinel immediately took point, moving to stand between the group and the beast. "Everypony stand back! I'll handle this!" He said, facing down the beast.

The Manticore roared once more as it charged Sentinel, picking up speed as it ran towards him. Sentinel stood his ground, waiting for the perfect moment and..

BOOM

Sentinel let out a burst of magic from his horn, knocking the Manticore to it's back. He turned back and looked at the group. "What did I tell ya? I got-" He was interrupted by the feeling of something breathing down his neck, turning around, he saw the Manticore standing behind him. "Uh...Nice kitty?"

GROAR! The beast once more let out a roar, causing Sentinel to run in fear.

"wait" Fluttershy said softly.

Following Sentinel's failed attempt, Applejack jumped on top of the Manticore to try and wrangle it. However, it soon flung her off and Rainbow took a shot. After she was flung away by its tail, the whole group charged at the Manticore. But before they could all brawl, Fluttershy jumped between them. "WAIT!" She shouted, causing everyone to come to a halt.

Fluttershy then began walking towards the Manticore. "Shhh... It's okay" She assured him, nuzzling his paw. This caused the Manticore to pull it back for a second, before it showed her a rather large splinter sticking out of his paw. "Oh, you poor, poor little baby"

"Little?" Rainbow blurted out.

"Now this might hurt for just a second" Fluttershy said, pulling the splinter out of his paw. This caused the Manticore to pick her up and roar, everypony was ready to jump in and save her. However, it then started licking Fluttershy. "Aw you're just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you? Yes you are, yes you are" Fluttershy cooed at it, as everyone else took the chance to walk past it.

Twilight lagged behind a bit so she could talk to Fluttershy. "How did you know about the thorn?"

"I didn't, sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness" She responded, walking past Twilight.

They continued on their way, going deeper into the forest. They noticed how the scenery got even stranger the deeper they went, even here the ground was getting more muddy. As they walked, the brush of the trees got so thick that it blocked out the moon light.

"Ah-anyone else getting a little creeped out?" Sentinel asked.

"Pfft, co-course not!" Rainbow Dash replied, as Fluttershy screamed.

"It's just mud.." Applejack replied to her, as she walked into a tree. She looked up and saw the strangely horrifying face on it. Applejack let out a yelp of fear as she hopped back.

Soon, everypony began noticing the creepy faces on the trees around them and the creepy light they gave off, everypony gave off whimpers and shrieks of fear as they ran around panicked. At least, until they heard someone laughing. They turned and saw Pinkie Pie laughing at one of the trees, making her own faces at it.

"Pinkie, what are you doing?! Run!" Twilight spoke up, causing Pinkie to look back at her and the group as a whole.

"Oh girls and our oh so trusty guard, don't you see?" She began tapping her hooves on the ground. 🎵When I was a little filly and the sun was going down!🎵

"Is she singing?" Sentinel spoke up, as Pinkie danced around them.

🎵The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown...🎵 Pinkie continued.

"She is.." Rarity answered him.

🎵I'd hide under my pillow🎵
🎵From what I thought I saw🎵
🎵But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way🎵
🎵To deal with fears at all🎵

"Then what is?" Rainbow Dash asked.

🎵She said, "Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall🎵
🎵Learn to face your fears🎵
🎵You'll see that they can't hurt you🎵
🎵Just laugh to make them disappear.🎵

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Pinkie Pie said, causing the face on the tree she was facing to disappear. Everyone gasped.

🎵 So, giggle at the ghostly🎵
🎵Guffaw at the grossly🎵
🎵Crack up at the creepy🎵
🎵Whoop it up with the weepy🎵
🎵Chortle at the kooky🎵
🎵Snortle at the spooky🎵

Pinkie Pie sang, as everypony else started laughing. As they did, the faces on the trees began vanishing.

🎵And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna... hahahaha... heh...🎵

🎵Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuugh!🎵

As the last of the trees disappeared, everyone rolled on the ground laughing. Well, everyone but Sentinel who was laughing awkwardly to the side. 

"Oh what's wrong? C’mon, we're having fun!" Twilight said, getting up and wiping away a joyful tear.

"N-nothing..It's fine.." Sentinel replied, nervously.

"Is everything alright?" Twilight asked, as the rest of the group continued.

"Well, it's just..Everything!" Sentinel spoke, confusing Twilight.

"Everything?"

"Yes..I mean, don't get me wrong. Pinkie's song was fun, the way Fluttershy handled the Manticore was creative and amazing, Applejack's honesty that saved my life is something I'll always be thankful for but.." Sentinel sighed. "None of that stuff should have happened, I'm a Royal Guard. I shouldn't need others to save me, I should be saving everypony else!"

Twilight put a hoof on him. "Hey, don't worry about it. I don't think you were trained to handle Nightmare Moon returning and navigating a haunted forest" She said, before turning. "Now come on, we still have a world to save!"

They soon caught up to the group, and they began running and laughing. Although Sentinel stayed at the back, he still kept pace and it was hard to stay sour when everypony else was so joyous. However, he soon found them coming to a stop as they reached a raging river. 

"How are we gonna cross this?" Pinkie asked, as they began hearing distant sobs. Moving towards it, they found a massive serpent-like creature crying with half a mustache.

"What a world, what a world!" He cried.

"Excuse me, sir. Why are you crying?" Twilight asked.

"Well, I don't know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off, and now I look simply horrid." They explained, doing exaggerated expressions while they did. Falling back and splashing into the water, soaking the entire group.

 "That's it?" Sentinel questioned.

"Oh, give me a break" Rainbow added.

"That's what all the fuss is about?" Applejack also asked as Rarity jumped between her and Rainbow.

"Why, of course it is. How can you be so insensitive? Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales" Rarity said, as she walked toward and sat in front of him.

"I know!" He replied with a sniff.

"And your expertly coiffed mane" Rarity pointed at his mane.

"Oh, I know, I know" He stroked his mane.

"Your fabulous manicure!"

He gasped. "It's so true!"

"All ruined without your beautiful mustache" Rarity Spoke.

"It's true, I'm hideous!" He hid his face.

"I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected!" Rarity proclaimed before ripping off one of the serpent's scales.

The serpent let out a yelp. "What did you do that for?"

"Rarity what are you-" Twilight asked, before she saw Rarity slash off her tail. This caused the serpent to fall to the ground as if he was fainting. She then used magic to attack the cut off tail to the where the serpent's mustache used to be.

"Oh-ho ho ho! My mustache. How wonderful" They excitedly exclaimed.

"Rarity, your tail!" Sentinel pointed at the smaller stub of a tail she now had.

"Oh, It's fine. Short tails are in this season. Besides, it'll grow back!" Rarity assured him.

"So would the mustache" Rainbow casually said.

Twilight jumped in the now calm water. "Look! We can cross now!" She began walking before the serpent lifted her out of the water.

"Please, allow me!" They said, allowing the group to hop across his body to avoid walking in the mucky water.

They continued to walk, they had high hopes as they continued towards their destination, and finally they saw it over the horizon. Twilight let out a gasp of excitement. "There it is, the ruin that holds The Elements of Harmony. We made it!" She said, as she began running towards it.

"Twilight, wait for us!" Applejack said as Twilight continued running.

"We're almost there" She said, before falling forward. "Whoa!" She hadn't noticed the bridge had seemingly collapsed and she was now hanging over the edge.

Sentinel quickly rushed over and pulled her back up. "What's with cliffs today?"

"What do we do now?" Pinkie questioned.

Rainbow flapped her wings. "Duh!"

"Oh yeah!" Pinkie realized.

Rainbow Dash flew over, as the others waited. They waited for way longer than they should have to and Sentinel made it known. "What's taking her so long? Can't be that hard to fix"

"Rainbow! What's taking so long?" Twilight yelled across, as the fog cleared to show Rainbow Dash talking to a group of darkly dressed Pegasus. "Oh no..RAINBOW!" Twilight shouted, getting the attention of one of them who's eyes flashed and the fog became denser. "Don't listen to them!" Twilight shouted.

"I knew we couldn't trust her! All she cares about is herself, even when I first met her all she asked was if I could get her to meet the Wonderbolts!" Sentinel spoke out in anger. "I bet she's-" He was going to continue until Rainbow flew out of the fog and back towards them. "-going to come back.."

Rainbow Dash landed. "Did you really think I'd leave ya hanging?" She said, as the group cheered and began crossing the bridge. However, before Sentinel could cross, Rainbow landed in front of him. "Y'know, I heard what you said.."

Sentinel sighed. "Yes I know.."

"I'm sorry-wait what? You're sorry?" They both said in unison.

"Why are you sorry? I'm the one who didn't give you the benefit of the doubt" Sentinel spoke.

"Well, I haven't been the nicest to you. Sure, I've meant any teasing and stuff as just that, harmless teasing. But I guess I should have thought about your feelings too" Rainbow Dash offered a hoof. "Friends?"

Sentinel shook it. "Friends.." They then rejoined the rest of the group as they entered the ruins. In the middle of the room, they found them. Placed upon what looked like a stone structure built to hold them, they found the Elements.

"The Elements of Harmony, we've found them!" Twilight exclaimed, as Fluttershy and Rainbow lowered them to ground level. "Careful! Caaareful!"

As they were placed on the ground, the group looked at them.

"I only count five.." Sentinel said.

"One...Two...Three..Four.....Yep! Only five!" Pinkie Confirmed.

"Where's the sixth?" Rainbow asked.

"The book said, when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed" Twilight informed them.

"What the hay is that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked.

"I'm not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back. I don't know what will happen" Twilight said, as her horn began to glow.

"Come on now, y'all. She needs to concentrate" Applejack said, leading everypony out. She turned and saw Sentinel, still standing next to Twilight. "Now Sentinel-"

"I have a job to do, I will not leave her side" Sentinel said, looking at Applejack who just sighed and left.

Twilight's horn glowed, as a magic aura surrounded them. However, as Twilight focused, Sentinel noticed a purple mist float towards the elements. It then turned into a twister, sucking up the elements. Twilight and Sentinel stood and watched.

"The Elements!" Twilight shouted, leaping at the purple mist. She jumped into it.

"Twilight!" Sentinel quickly followed as the storm vanished, it teleported them and they landed on a cold stone floor. Coughing from the mist. As they recovered and looked around, both noticed Nightmare Moon who now had the five elements.

Nightmare Moon began laughing. "Well, look who it is. I must thank you both for leading me here"

"Nightmare Moon" Twilight said as she stood up, Sentinel stood next to her as she turned and looked at him. "Got any ideas?"

"Just one.." Sentinel walked forward and planted a hoof into the ground, he huffed and faced down Nightmare Moon.

"You're joking? You've been running in fear all night, you couldn't stop a simple Manticore. What gives you any inkling of an idea you can beat me?" Nightmare Moon laughed.

"I will not fail.." He dragged a hoof on the ground, signaling he was going to charge.

Nightmare Moon smiled. "You shall fall braver than most.."

Sentinel's horn glowed as he charged Nightmare Moon, who in turn charged him as well. The two rammed into each other, using magic to create barriers that clashed. Nightmare Moon laughed. As this happened, Twilight ran past them and towards the Elements.

Nightmare Moon began pushing Sentinel back, he wasn't a match for her. "You fool! Twilight was right, you are useless!" Her horn glowed brightly as she blasted him back into a wall, he fell to the ground dazed and confused. Nightmare Moon then turned to see Twilight attempting to ignite the "spark" needed and turned to stop her. She went to move but she was stopped by a rock hitting the back of her helmet, turning around she saw Sentinel still on his hooves.

"I'm not done yet!" He said, his horn glowing once more. Once again Nightmare Moon Charged at him, he waited, his horn glowing brighter. When she was close enough, he teleported out of the way and she crashed into the wall. Sentinel appeared next to Twilight, recovering from the daze of teleportation he began encouraging her. "You can do it Twilight, just focus!" He said, as Nightmare Moon teleported in the middle of the elements as they glowed. However, Twilight was flung back by them.

"No!" Nightmare Moon said, standing in the middle of the glowing elements. However, soon they stopped glowing.

"Where's the sixth element?!" Twilight asked in a panic, as Nightmare Moon raised up her hooves and slammed them down. Shattering the elements.

"No!" Sentinel shouted, as he went to attack but Nightmare Moon casually fling him away.

"You foolish foals! Thinking you could defeat me?" She asked, as Sentinel stood up again. Wobbling as he raised one leg up so as to not walk on it, he had hurt something bad. "Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night will last forever!" Nightmare Moon finished with an evil land ferocious laugh. As Sentinel and Twilight looked up at her in fear and defeat.

"Twilight, Sentinel!" They heard a voice call out, it sounded like Applejack. "We're coming, don't worry!" That was Pinkie. They then heard Rainbow Dash, and Rarity, even Fluttershy squeaked out a call of assurance that they were coming.

As Twilight heard the calls of these ponies who she had grown rather attached to over this adventure, a spark was lit inside her and she turned confidently to Nightmare Moon. "You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that? Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here!" She shouted, as she was joined by Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.

"What?" Nightmare Moon questioned, as the shards of the shattered elements floated up and towards the group.

"Applejack, who reassured Sentinel and I when we were in doubt, represents the spirit of...honesty!" Shards flew around Applejack. "Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of...kindness!" Shards flew around Fluttershy as well. "Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of...laughter!" Same as with Pinkie. "Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the spirit of...generosity!" The shards began glowing as they orbited the ponies. "And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of...loyalty!" She said, as her friends stood around her with the shards glowing brightly. "The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us!"

"You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work!" Nightmare Moon spoke up, a nervousness in her voice.

"But it did! A different kind of spark" Twilight turned to face her friends. "I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you-" She looked at Sentinel, standing to the side and staring in awe. "Even when Sentinel did things that he may claim are just "His Job" I could still feel what I felt from all of you-" She looked back to her other friends. "The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all...are my friends!" She said, teary eyed. She then looked back at Nightmare Moon. "You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of...magic!" She said as a magic aura engulfed her and all her friends. The shards formed into necklaces around their necks, as they moved closer together. Then, a massive rainbow beamed from them and towards Nightmare Moon.

Nightmare Moon tried to escape, but found herself being held down. She turned and saw Sentinel grabbing onto her. "What are you doing you fool!" She shouted in scared anger.

"My duty! Protecting my friends!" Sentinel said, holding her down.

"YOU IDIOT! WE'LL BOTH BE HIT BY IT!" She panicked even more.

"If that's what it takes, I'll do it for them!"

"No! NOOOOO!" Nightmare Moon shouted, as the rainbow began surrounding both of them. It became a twister, engulfing them both as Twilight's eyes glowed and everything was taken up by a massive flash.





"Ugh, my head..." Rainbow Dash, said as she stood up in a daze. Soon being joined by her other friends.

"Is everypony okay?" Applejack asked.

"Oh, thank goodness" Rarity said, looking at her now restored tail.

"Why Rarity, it's so lovely" Fluttershy said.

"I know, I'll never part with it again!" Rarity replied.

"No. Your necklace. It looks just like your cutie mark!" Fluttershy pointed at the necklace around her neck.

"What? Ooh" Rarity admired her newest piece of jewelry before she noticed Fluttershy had one as well. "So does yours" She pointed out. Soon, they all noticed they had a necklace on. Twilight was the only exception, she had a tiara instead.

 "Gee, Twilight! I thought you were just spoutin' a lot of hooey, but I reckon we really do represent the elements of friendship" Applejack said.

"Indeed you do" A voice spoke out, as the sun began to rise. Then, as if from the Sun itself. An orb of light descended towards the group, and with a flash. Celestia appeared in front of them.

"Princess Celestia!" Twilight said, as the others bowed. Twilight ran up and embraced with Celestia briefly.

"Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student. I knew you could do it" Celestia said happily.

"But... you told me it was all an old pony tale" Twilight asked, confused.

"I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart. Now if only another will as well....." Celestia began walking towards the now much brighter looking alicorn once known as Nightmare Moon "Princess Luna!" She spoke as she approached, and knelt down.

Luna let out a gasp as she came closer, but Celestia simply stayed calm and spoke softly. "It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister."

"Sister?" Twilight and Rainbow both blurted out.

"Will you accept my friendship?" Celestia asked.

Luna was silent for a moment, but then she sprung up, "I'm so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister!" She said, embracing her.

Pinkie comically sobbed, before stopping suddenly. "Hey, you know what this calls for?" She took out a party horn and blew it. "A party!" She said, as everyone else nodded and went to leave.

Twilight then stopped for a moment. "Wait a second!" She shouted out, causing everyone to stop and turn to her.

"Is everything alright Twilight?" Celestia asked.

"Let's see...Five because of the elements...Six because of me...You and Luna make Seven..." She looked around and panicked. "Where's Sentinel?"

"Sentinel?" Celestia asked, confused. "He went along with you on this?"

"Yes, that's why you sent him. Isn't it?" Twilight asked, giving Celestia a confused look.

"I sent him so he'd get a shock to his system to make him a better guard, he was supposed to stay in Ponyville while you and your friends defeated Nightmare Moon. What happened?" Celestia answered and asked a question of her own.

"Sister I-" Luna began. "When the Elements struck me, I tried to flee. However, Sentinel stopped me and took the spell as well. I have no clue what happened to him!"

Everyone in the room looked around, trying to find him. "Y'all don't think he..." Applejack added on nervously, causing everypony to lower their head in solidarity. Just then, they heard the sound of tumbling rocks. Looking over they saw a hoof sticking out of a pile of rubble.

"Sentinel?!" Twilight called out, running over along with Applejack and Rainbow Dash. They began pulling rubble aside and soon pulled him out.

Sentinel shook his head, dust and small bits of rocks falling out of his mane. "What happened? Did we win?" He began looking around.

"Sentinel Shield.." Celestia said, approaching him.

"Princess Celestia!" He quickly bowed.

She smiled as she stood over him. "When I sent you here, my intention was to give you a simple shock to your system. Something that would motivate you.." She looked around the room. "What I did not expect was that you'd not only brave the Everfree Forest. But also attempt to fight Nightmare Moon yourself, you even took a spell from the most powerful objects in all of Equestria"

"We-well, I was just doing what you told me too. I escorted Twilight and kept her safe." He stood up straight, noticing his foreleg had healed.

"Indeed you did, not only meeting my expectations but far surpassing them" Celestia told him, she then gestured towards the Elements of Harmony. "You also seemed to have made a few friends along the way, though not all of them easy" She looked at Rainbow Dash as she said this. "I was right, this is just what you needed. I hope you can continue to learn from this experience, and use it to continue to motivate yourself as a Royal Guard"

Pinkie Pie bounced in place. "Are we done? Because I reeeeeaaaaally want to throw this party!"





Ponies from all around, young and old. They all gathered around and celebrated the return of Princess Luna, they waited in the streets as Luna arrived with Celestia. They all cheered for her, two Pegasus fillies even gave her a necklace of flowers. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. All except Twilight who wore a rather sad face.

"Why so glum, my faithful student?" Celestia asked, walking up to Twilight. "Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?" She asked.

"That's just it" Twilight responded, turning to look at her friends. "Just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them" She said, somberly.

Celestia simply smiled. "Spike, take a note please" She said, Spike quickly took out a quill and paper. "I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville" She finished, as Twilight and her friends cheered.

"Oh thank you, Princess Celestia! I'll study harder than ever before!" Twilight said happily, as everypony cheered. All except one.

Sentinel stood off to the side, watching as everyone celebrated. He had his saddlebag on, and was ready to leave. Taking a deep breath he walked up to the group of friends. "Well everypony, it's sure been a fun day and a half" He said, getting a confused look from them.

"Wherever are you going darling?" Rarity asked.

"Yeah? Where?" Pinkie asked as well.

"Did you forget why I'm here?" He asked them. "I was only to guard Twilight during the Summer Sun Celebration. Now that it's done, I'll be heading back to Canterlot"

"What?" Rainbow Dash said, zooming over to him. "After all that, you're just going to go back to Canterlot?"

"Well, I have to." He replied. "Besides, it's not like Twilight needs me as a guard. She has all of you, a whole lot of new friends"

"Yeah, including you" Applejack said.

"Me?" Sentinel pointed at himself, confused.

"Of course sugar cube!" Applejack reassured him.

"But, I haven't done anything" Sentinel said, not knowing why they'd think of him as a friend.

"Uh, hello!" Twilight said, walking up to him. "You've been by my side this whole time. Heck, you've encouraged me to do things that made some of these friends! Not to mention how good of a friend you've been yourself!"

"I've been a good friend?" He was really confused.

"Well yeah! You might say you were "Doing your duty" but I'd say you did a bit more than that" She smiled. "Stopping me from sliding off a cliff, risking your own life. Then you stood up to Nightmare Moon!" She walked over and put a hoof on him. "The best part, I knew it wasn't because of your job. You did it because you did care about my safety, about everypony’s safety!" She then laughed. "Though, I guess that is your job"

Sentinel let out a weak smile. "Thanks Twilight, that really means a lot to me" He then sighed. "But, I have my orders.." He turned to walk away.

"Not so fast" Celestia said, causing Sentinel to turn.

"Wha-what is it your highness?" He asked.

"After much deliberation, I have decided to alter your orders" She smiled, looking at Spike. "Spike?"

"Already on it!" Spike got out a new piece of paper and a quill.

"Sentinel Shield, as Princess of Equestria and supreme commander of the Royal Guard. I hereby order you to remain in Ponyville, with your new task being to guard the Elements of Harmony and those who bear them" She finished with a smile.

"Me? Protect the Elements of Harmony? But, there are-" Sentinel began, before Celestia shushed him

"And please, enough of the negativity. You've proven yourself a worthy guard, now keep up the good work"

Sentinel smiled and nodded. "I promise" He then felt a sudden weight on his back.

"Group hug!" Pinkie Pie said, as every one of his new friends hugged him.

As they did, Celestia and Luna said their goodbyes, and left for Canterlot. Leaving the group of friends to whatever adventures they'd find themselves on. Who know's what is in store for this unlikely group of 7 ponies, only time will tell.
> The Ticket Master
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a bright and sunny day over Sweet Apple Acres, the perfect day for some hard work. Applejack, Twilight, Spike and Sentinel were indeed doing some hard work. Not only had they just gone and picked almost every Golden Delicious they could find, but now they were also carrying them all back in one trip! But, luckily it looked like they'd be back by lunch.

"I've got to say, thank you both for helping me! I bet Big Macintosh if I could get all these Golden Delicious to the barn by lunchtime, then he'd walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny's girdles" Applejack said, chuckling at the idea.

"Not a problem!" Sentinel said from the back of the group. "I'm always up for a little hard work on a nice day, besides I-" He was cut off by an apple hitting him on the snout. "Spike!" He said, annoyed.

Spike let out a nervous chuckle. "Sorry Sentinel" Spike apologized before he went back to sorting through the apples.

"I'm just glad the goal is lunch time, all this hard work can really give you an appetite!" Twilight spoke, as her Stomach rumbled.

"I know right!" Spike added on.

"Spike, you've been sitting on Twilight's back while we've all been working all morning" Sentinel was quick to point out to the small dragon.

"I know! You've all been taking so long I missed snack time!" Spike innocently replied.

Sentinel's stomach rumbled, and he sighed. "You have a point Spike, I'm sure we could all use something to eat" He said, as Spike continued sorting through apples.

"A-ha!" Spike proclaimed, holding up one big and shiny apple.

Twilight licked her lips as she looked at it. "Oh Spike, that looks-" She was cut off as Spike ate the entire apple in one large chomp. "Spike!"

"What?" Spike replied, before he burped out some green fire. The smoke from the fire changed itself into a letter, as Spike fell off Twilight from the force of his burp.

"It's a letter from Princess Celestia" Twilight said, as it floated down. The three ponies gathered around it as Spike grabbed it and began to read.

Spike cleared his throat and began to read. "Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of.." Spike then quickly skipped over the fluff. "Cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest" He finished.

The two mares gasped. "The Grand Galloping Gala!" Twilight and Applejack said in unison.

"Wow, I've never been to the Gala before. You're a lucky mare Twilight" Sentinel added, as Spike burped up two tickets.

"I've never been to the gala!" Twilight said, as Spike showed her the two tickets. "Sentinel, you're a Royal Guard. What's the Gala like?" She asked.

"Well..." Sentinel let out a nervous chuckle. "I've never actually been, I was always put on guard duty in the garden. All I ever heard was the music.."

"Wait, really?" Twilight asked.

"Hey, I told you I'm not the best guard. But at least I'm now the "Guardian of the Elements" now" He joked.

"Did you just make that up?" Twilight asked.

"Maybe" Sentinel quickly replied. "But I wouldn't mind going..." Sentinel said, as his imagination trailed off. "Just imagine, I enter the gala. My Royal Guard Armor shining like the stars...I'd walk past all the nobles and other guards and they'd bow in a show of respect! I'd-" He stopped himself. "Sorry about that, I sort of drifted off into fantasyland...What I am saying is that it would be nice..." Sentinel ended his words with a nervous laugh.

"Nice?" Applejack responded. "It's a heap good more than just nice. I'd love to go. Land sakes..." Applejack began trailing off the same way Sentinel had. "If I had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin' our tasty vittles 'til the cows come home. Do you have any idea how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin' up 'round here. We could replace that saggy old roof, and Big McIntosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip!" Applejack seemingly finished her train of thought, her eyes shining. "Why, I'd give my left hind leg to go to that gala" She exclaimed.

"Oh!" Twilight trotted up to Applejack "In that case, do you want to-"

"WOAH!" A voice cried as Rainbow Dash slammed down onto Applejack and Twilight, causing them to fall to the ground as Rainbow sat atop of them. "Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?" She asked.

"Rainbow!" Sentinel spoke out, as he trotted towards the pony-pile. "You could have hurt someone!"

"He's right sugar cube" Applejack spoke up from underneath Rainbow. "Wait a darn minute, didn't you tell me you were too busy to help me harvest apples?" Applejack spoke as she got up from under Dash, a visibly angry expression. "What were you busy doing? Spyin'?"

"No!" Rainbow quickly replied. "I was busy napping!" She gestured up and everypony looked, seeing a pillow and blanket. "And I just happened to hear you had an extra ticket?" Rainbow questioned Twilight.

"Yeah but-" Twilight was cut off by Rainbow Dash.

"YES!" Rainbow Dash proclaimed. "This is so awesome! The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year! I can see it now..." Rainbow began trailing off, much like Applejack and Sentinel had. "Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then in would fly Rainbow Dash! I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut! Then, I would mesmerize 'em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, the Buccaneer Blaze! The ponies would go wild!" Rainbow Dash mimicked a cheering crowd. "The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member!" She finished off cheerfully. "Don't you see, Twilight? This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me!" Rainbow asked, flying right into Twilight and hoovering only inches from the unicorn's face.

Applejack then tugged Rainbow back by the tail. "Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here" Applejack spat out Rainbow's tail. "I asked for that ticket first!" She informed Rainbow.

"So? That doesn't mean you own it!" Rainbow said in a matter-of-fact voice.

"Oh yeah?" Applejack challenged, as the two mares got in each-others faces. "Well I challenge you to a hoof-wrestle. Winner gets the ticket!"

The two then zoomed over to a stump and began hoof-wrestling, it lasted for a good 2 seconds before Twilight and Sentinel separated the two. "Girls, these are my tickets!" Twilight reminded them, as she let Sentinel handle keeping them from fighting. "I'll decide who gets them, thank you very much!" With those words, Rainbow and Applejack settled down and Sentinel relaxed. "Whoever has the best reason should go, don't you think?"

"Drummin' up business for the farm?" Applejack dashed forward and said.

"A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts?" Rainbow also dashed forward.

"Money t' fix Granny's hip!" Applejack again dashed forward and stated.

"Living the dream!" Rainbow Dash followed behind.

"Ladies! Please!" Sentinel said, using magic to pull both of them back. "Twilight just got the tickets! Maybe don't bother her right away?" He spoke, causing both to let out a nervous chuckle.

Just then, Twilight's stomach rumbled. "Listen to that, I am starving. I don't know about you, but I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach, so I'll, uh, think about it over lunch and get back to you two, okay?" She quickly said. as Spike jumped on her back. Rainbow and Applejack both let out a groan, but an apple bonking both of them on the back of the head courtesy of Sentinel got them in a more agreeable mood. After they both agreed, Sentinel followed Twilight as they made their way from the Farm back to Ponyville.

"So..Who are you gonna give the ticket to, Twilight?" Spike asked as he sat on Twilight's back.

"I don't know Spike, but I really can't think straight when I'm hungry" Twilight replied, as she continued to walk "so where should we eat?" She asked, as suddenly Pinkie Pie jumped out of nowhere and slammed into her. The tickets Spike had been holding landed on Pinkie's face.

"AH! BATS! BATS! ON MY FACE!" Pinkie Pie screamed. "HELP! Wait, these aren't..tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!?" Pinkie Pie shouted out. "It's the most amazing incredibly tremendous super-fun wonderful terrifically humongous party in all of Equestria! I've always always always wanted to go!" Pinkie said, as she began to sing.

🎵Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me🎵
🎵Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me🎵
🎵Hip hip🎵
🎵Hooray!🎵
🎵It's the best place for me🎵
🎵For Pinkie...🎵


"With decorations like streamers and fairy-lights and pinwheels and piñatas and pin-cushions. With goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sun-beams and sarsaparilla. And I get to play my favorite-est of favorite fantabulous games like Pin the Tail on the Pony!" Pinkie Pie continued, as Sentinel helped Twilight up and grabbed the tickets. He'd hold onto them for now.

🎵Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me🎵
🎵Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me🎵
🎵'Cause it's the most galarrific superly-terrific gala ever🎵
🎵In the whole galaxy🎵
🎵Wheee!!🎵

Pinkie finished singing as she bounced around Twilight. "Oh thank you, Twilight, it's the most wonderful-est gift ever!" Pinkie Pie said, stopping in front of Twilight.

"Um, actually—" Twilight began before a gasping voice cut her off.

"Are these what I think they are?" Rarity asked, as she stood behind Sentinel eyeing the two golden tickets he held.

"Uh..." Sentinel responded, quickly moving to face Rarity while hiding the tickets behind his back.

"Yes, yes, yes! Twilight's taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot!" Pinkie Proclaimed.

"The gala? I design ensembles for the gala every year, but I've never had the opportunity to attend. Oh, the society, the culture, the glamour! It's where I truly belong, and where I'm destined to meet him!" Rarity said, a sparkle in her eyes.

"Him...who?" Pinkie asked.

"Him..." Rarity said, as she trailed off. " I would stroll through the gala, and everyone would wonder, "Who is that mysterious mare?" They would never guess that I was just a simple pony from little old Ponyville. Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself, and the princess would be so taken with the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him, her nephew: the most handsome, eligible unicorn stallion in Canterlot. Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt. Our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hoof in marriage, and of course I would say, "Yes!" We would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess, which is what I would become upon marrying him, the stallion of my dreams..." Rarity finished her fantasy, dreamily. "Twilight! I simply cannot believe you-" Rarity was cut off by stifled laughter.

"Prince Blueblood?" Sentinel questioned, clearly holding back laughter. "The Stallion of your dreams is Prince Blueblood?"

"Why yes he is Sentinel...But, why are you acting like that?" Rarity questioned, as Sentinel did his best to not go into a laughing fit.

"Oh it's nothing....Just remembered a funny joke I heard.." He lied, in reality he was laughing at how she thought Prince Blueblood would act. "Just....just continue.."

"Right.." Rarity cleared her throat, turning back to Twilight. "Twilight, I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can...party, and prevent me from meeting my true love. How could you? Hmph!" Rarity turned away with huff.

Meanwhile, in his distracted state. A small bunny jumped and grabbed the tickets out of his magical hold, "Hey!" Sentinel shouted as it ran towards Fluttershy, climbing on her head the bunny showed the yellow pegasus the tickets.

Fluttershy let out a gasp. "Angel, these are perfect!" Fluttershy spoke.

"Uh, listen guys, I haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to" Twilight finally spoke up.

"You haven't? Rarity and Pinkie both asked.

"Um, excuse me, Twilight" Fluttershy spoke up shyly. "I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be all right, if you haven't given it to someone else..."

"You? You want to go to the gala?" Rarity asked.

"Oh, no.." Fluttershy said, as her pet Angel patted her foreleg with his leg. "I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of. You see..." Fluttershy began, as Sentinel took the tickets back. "It's not so much the Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance. The flowers are said to be the most beautiful and fragrant in all of Equestria. For the night of the gala, and that night alone, would they all be in bloom... and that's just the flora! Don't get me started on the fauna. There's loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my! Hummingbirds that can really hum, and buzzards that can really buzz. White-blue jays, and red jays, and green jays, pink jays and pink flamingos!" Fluttershy finished, as she hugged Angel.

"Gee, Fluttershy, it sounds... beautiful...?" Twilight said, as she wasn't sure what to think of it.

"Wait just a minute" Rainbow Dash said, as she stood atop a nearby building.

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight said, as Rainbow jumped down and landed in front of her. "Were you following me?"

"No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe. Look, it doesn't matter. I couldn't risk a goody-four-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anybody" Rainbow answered.

"Wait just another minute!" Applejack said, as she walked into the conversation.

"Applejack, were you following me too?" Twilight asked.

"No. I was followin' this one to make sure she didn't try any funny business. Still trying to take mah ticket!" Applejack said, pointing at Rainbow Dash.

"Your ticket?" Rainbow questioned.

"But Twilight's taking me!" Pinkie chimed in.

Soon everypony was arguing, surrounding Twilight as they bickered with each other. Sentinel still held onto the tickets, as he tried to calm everypony down. But his efforts were useless as no one would listen, luckily Twilight would finally shout out.

"QUIET!" Twilight shouted, causing everypony to shut up.

"And then I said, "Oatmeal, are you craz—" oh" Pinkie finally went quiet.

"Girls, there's no use in arguing" Twilight told them all.

"But Twilight-" Rarity began before Twilight cut her off.

"This is my decision, and I'm gonna make it on my own, and I certainly can't think straight with all this noise..." Twilight said, as her stomach rumbled. "Not to mention hunger. Now go on, shoo" Twilight dismissed them, watching as they walked away grumbling. "And don't worry, I'll figure this out...somehow..." She then looked at Sentinel. "Sentinel"

"At your command!" He said with a salute.

"Keep those tickets safe, don't give them to anypony!" Twilight told him.

"Understood!" As he said that, his stomach rumbled. "Now, I remember hearing something a while ago about food?"

The trio of Spike, Sentinel and Twilight continued walking. Finally finding somewhere to eat, they took a seat and began reading over the menu. However, not all was fine as Twilight was still stressing about the tickets. "Oh, what am I gonna do? All five of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the gala. Applejack, or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity... Oh, who should go with me?" She asked her two companions.

"Have you made your decision?" A pony trotted up and asked.

"I CAN'T DECIDE!" Twilight shouted.

"Uh Twilight" Sentinel spoke up. "It's just the waiter"

"Oh" Twilight realized. "I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich" She placed her order.

"I'll have what she's having" Sentinel said.

"Do you have any rubies?" Spike asked, getting no response. "No? Okay, I'll have the hay fries, extra crispy"

The waiter walked off, and Twilight looked at Sentinel. "What do you think, Sentinel?"

"Well, this is a hard one.." He said, putting a hoof to his chin as he thought. "Well...I guess....huh..." Sentinel was really stumped by this. "Y'know Twilight, I actually have no idea" Sentinel said, as the waiter came back and placed the food down. "Finally! I'm starving!" Sentinel said, as he went to take a bite. However, as he did so a bunch of ponies ran past them.

"Um...are you going to eat your food in ze rain?" The waiter asked them, standing in the doorway to the restaurant.

"It's not raining" Twilight said, before they heard a thunderclap. She, Sentinel and Spike looked around to see it raining all around them, however it was perfectly sunny in a small radius of them.

"What the?" Sentinel said, as he quickly looked around for an answer.

"Hi there, best friend forever I've ever ever had. Enjoying the sunny weather?" A voice called out, causing Sentinel, Spike and Twilight to look up. They saw Rainbow looking out a hole in the clouds.

"Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?" Twilight asked.

"Whaddya mean? I just saw the smartest, most generous pony about to get rained on, so I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep her dry so she could dine in peace, that's all!" Rainbow explained.

"Rainbow..." Sentinel began. "Are you trying to sway Twilight into giving you the tickets?" He asked.

"Me?" Rainbow said, shocked. "Of course not! I'd do it for anypony!"

Sentinel looked around at the other ponies who were not so lucky and were running through the rain to find cover. "Really? Anypony?"

"Rainbow, I am not comfortable accepting unwanted favors, so I'd appreciate it if you close up that rain cloud right now" Twilight said sternly.

"Twilight I don't think that's a good idea" Sentinel said, as he heard a zipping sound and the sunlight vanished.

"Better!" Twilight said, as she went to take a bit of her sandwich only for rain to come down hard. Soaking both her and her sandwich.

"I wasn't hungry anyway..." Sentinel said, as he pushed his soggy food away.

"Twilight, it's raining" Rarity said, as she stood off to the side.

"No, really?" Twilight replied.

"Come with me before you catch a cold" Rarity said as she pulled Twilight off, Sentinel followed with Spike on his back and soon found themselves inside Carousel Boutique.

Twilight quickly shook like a dog, getting all the water off her. However she also soaked Rarity as she did it. "Hehe...oops, sorry" Twilight quickly said.

"Oh no, it's quite alright" Rarity assured her. "After all, we are..." Rarity quickly stood next to Twilight. "The best of friends, are we not? And you know what the best of friends do?" She asked

"Uh..." Twilight was trying to guess.

"Makeovers!" Rarity shouted, as she pulled some cover over. Sentinel and Spike could then hear loud noises as Rarity did...something to Twilight. When it was done, Rarity pulled the cover away. "There. Oh, you're simply darling!" Rarity said, as Twilight stood in a rather fancy dress.

"Uh, yeah, it is kinda pretty, isn't it?" Twilight said, looking at the dress.

Spike pointed a finger at his mouth, showing he was rather disinterested in the dress. "And you. Oh Spike, I have a dandy little outfit for the dashing gent" Rarity said, pulling the cover over to Spike. Sentinel could hear the same sounds as Rarity pulled back the cover, revealing Spike in a little blue outfit. "Now you just need a hat!" Rarity said, placing a large hat on him.

Sentinel was trying to hold back laughter, as Spike ran off. However, he was not spared as Rarity came up to him. "And how could I forget the lovely Royal Guard! I know just what to give you!"

"Oh no! Not me!" Sentinel said, trying to run. However, it was too late as Rarity pulled the cover over him. He fought best he could against her, but her strength in fashion was just too great! Soon, he found himself in a golden-white tux.

"You look marvelous darling!" Rarity said. "But you know what will look more fabulous?" She turned to Twilight. "You at the Gala!"

"Wait, the Gala?" Twilight asked somewhat angrily.

"And oh, my goodness, what a coincidence. I happen to have an ensemble of my own that matches yours to a T. We would be the belles of the ball, you and I. Everyone would be clamoring for our attention. All eyes would be on us, and then everyone would finally know, the most beautiful, most talented, most sophisticated pony in all of Equestria is Rarity the unicorn!" Rarity said enthusiastically. "Ah, and Twilight Sparkle, of course!" Rarity said nervously.

"I see what's going on. You're just buttering me up so I give you the extra ticket. Well it's not gonna work" Twilight said, as she pulled off the dress and threw it at Rarity. "You're going to have to wait for my decision just like everyone else. Now if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all day just to get some lunch!" She shouted, as she went to walk out the door.

"Did somepony say lunch?" Applejack said, pulling Twilight out the door and revealing a cart full of food.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Twilight said, looking at the cart.

" I got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple crum-'' Applejack listed, until her lips were magically closed.

"That's enough!" Sentinel said, as he walked out of the Boutique no longer in the tux. "You're not bribing your way to the ticket! Come on Twilight, let's get out of here!" Sentinel said, as they walked off.

"IS THAT A MAYBE?!" Applejack yelled at them as they left.

Sentinel and Twilight quickly rushed back to Golden Oaks. "Ugh, I never thought being showered with favors would be so aggravating!" Twilight said to Sentinel.

"Ditto, I-" Sentinel was about to speak, before he was cut off by the singing of Fluttershy. She was currently cleaning Golden Oaks.

"Oh Fluttershy, not you too!" Twilight said.

"Oh, well, hello Twilight. I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a little spring cleaning for you!" Fluttershy spoke.

"It's summer..." Sentinel said.

"Oh, well, better late than never, right? It was Angel's idea" Fluttershy replied.

"You're not doing this for the ticket, are you?" Twilight asked.

" Oh no, I'm doing this because you're my very best friend. Right, Angel?" Fluttershy asked her bunny, only to get a disapproving look. "Oh, yes, we are just doing this for the ticket"

Angel offered Twilight a salad, but Twilight yelled so loud it pushed him away. "No, no, no! Well, this was all very nice of you and Angel, but I'm not accepting any extra favors until I've made my final decision, so I'm going to have to ask you to leave" She said, standing at the open front door. However, she was met by cheers of ponies and party horns. She was then pulled out and began being thrown up in the air as Pinkie sang.

🎵Twilight is my bestest friend🎵
🎵Whoopie, whoopie!🎵


"Pinkie..." Twilight said as she was thrown up, landed and thrown back up.

🎵She's the cutest, smartest, all around best pony, pony!🎵


"Pinkie.." Twilight repeated, slightly more annoyed.

🎵I bet if I throw a super-duper fun party, party!🎵

"PINKIE!" Twilight not shouted.

🎵She'll give her extra ticket to the Gala to me!🎵

"PIINKIIE!" Twilight shouted again, causing the ponies not to catch her, having her land on the dirt.

"Yes, Twilight?" Pinkie asked, fluttering her eyes.

"At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket" Twilight said as she stood up.

"Wait, what ticket? What gala?" A mare asked.

"Oh, you didn't know? Twilight has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!" Pinkie Pie said.

"THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA?!" All the ponies around said in unison. Suddenly, Twilight found herself bombarded with compliments and offers. From painting her cart, to gardening to free stuff, everypony was relentless in trying to pressure Twilight into giving up the tickets. She was about to run for it, before a loud-magic crack filled the sky closely followed by a voice.

"ENOUGH!" It was Sentinel, his horn still glowing from causing the sound. "Look at yourselves, can you not see how selfish you all are?! You are trying to bribe Twilight into giving you her extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala under the title of a "friend" and how dare you call yourself her friend if you would do this!" He walked through the crowd, trotted next to Twilight. "Come on Twilight, let's go inside!" Sentinel then walked with Twilight inside, however before he closed the door he said one more thing. "You should all be ashamed of yourselves!" He then slammed the door shut.

"Wow Sentinel.." Twilight said in shock of his outburst. "Thank you"

"No problem Twilight, that was getting on my nerves" He said before looking up, only to be met by Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Applejack.

 Twilight quickly looked at them, and let out a groan of frustration before she spoke. "I can't decide, I just can't decide! It's important to all of you and I just can't stand to disappoint any of you, and giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference, because you're all my friends and I wanna make you all happy and I can't, I just can't!"

"Twilight, sugar, I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you, and if it helps, I don't want the ticket anymore. You can give it to somepony else. I won't feel bad, I promise." Applejack was first to say, as she walked over.

"Me too. I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful" Fluttershy joined in.

"And me too. It's no fun upsetting your friends" Pinkie agreed.

"Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did" Rarity said.

"Yes! That means the ticket is mine. Ha ha!" Rainbow Dash began to sing. "I got the ticket, I got the ticket. I got the-"

Sentinel used magic to pull Rainbow towards him, looking her dead in the eyes with a fiery rage but saying nothing.

"You know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for the Wonderbolts anyway. I don't need that ticket either" She said nervously, as Sentinel let her go.

"We all got so gun-ho about going to the gala that we couldn't see how un-gun-ho we were making you" Applejack said.

"We're sorry, Twilight." Everypony said in unison.

Twilight smiled. "Y'know, I think I made up my mind.." Twilight turned to Sentinel. "Sentinel.."

Sentinels' ears perked up. "What is it?" He asked, as Twilight took only one of the tickets he was holding onto.

"Since you have been the only one not to bother me about it, would you like to go to the Gala?" She asked with a smile.

"Me! The Gala!" His eyes widened, thinking of his dream of sitting with the other great ponies of Equestria along with Celestia. However, he snapped himself out of it and shook his head. "Sorry but, I'm going to have to say no"

"NO?!" The mane six said in unison, all in shock.

"But why?!" Rainbow asked.

"Because, look at what it caused you all to do. It turned you all into selfish ponies who only cared about themselves, if you want to give them to me then just send them back. Because I want no part of it!" Sentinel proclaimed.

Twilight was silent for a moment, then she spoke. "Spike, take down a note. Dear Princess Celestia
I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there's not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala" She said, as she handed Spike the tickets.

"Are you sure?" Spike asked.

"Yep! Send the letter!" Twilight replied, as Spike sent it off.

"Now you won't get to go to the gala either" Fluttershy said.

"It's okay, girls. I couldn't possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me..." Twilight said, as her friend's group hugged her. "So I'd rather not go at all.."

As they hugged, Spike began gagging. 

"Really Spike?" Sentinel spoke. "Can you be mature for a sec-" He was cut off as Spike burped up a letter. 

Spike caught it and opened it. "My faithful student Twilight, Why didn't you just say so in the first place?" Sentinel then held up- "Seven tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!" He cheered, as everypony else did as well.

"Now we can all go!" Twilight said, as her stomach rumbled.

"Allow us to treat you to dinner!" Rarity said, as they began going out the door. Each pony collected a ticket as they did so, all except Spike who was left behind without one.

"How come I didn't get a ticket?" He asked himself sadly, then he burped again and opened another letter. "And one for you, Spike" He read aloud, as he grabbed the 8th ticket sent for him. He ran out the door giggling, stopping in front of Applejack. "I mean, gross, I have to go too?" He pretended to not be happy about it, as he walked by Applejack. However, he couldn't hold it forever and sped off once again giggling.
> What the Applebuck?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Is this good?" Sentinel questioned, adjusting a bird house with magic.

"Hmmm..A little more to the left.." Twilight said, watching as Sentinel adjusted accordingly.

"Better?"

Twilight nodded. "Perfect!"

Sentinel smiled, before the ground started rumbling. "Woah!" Sentinel exclaimed, as the bird house fell and broke. "The bird house!"

Twilight looked around. "I think we have bigger problems!" She saw as Rainbow Dash flew into the air, squinting to see whatever was causing this.

Rainbow looked, before exclaiming. "STAMPEDE!" She shouted, as the sound of mooing cows became clear as day.

Ponies began to panic, running around in an attempt to find cover. Others locked their doors and windows to hide, while Pinkie Pie just hopped around laughing.

"HeY! ThIs MaKeS mY vOiCe SoUnD sIlLy!" She said, her voice distorted by the vibrations of the shaking ground.

"Pinkie! Are you crazy?! Run!" Twilight called out, as Pinkie bounced pass her and Sentinel.

Meanwhile, Mayor Mare attempted to calm the panicking ponies. "Everypony calm down. There is no need to panic" Mayor Mare said, trying her best to get control of the situation.

"But Mayor, whatever shall we do?" Rarity asked her.

"Look there!" Rainbow Dash said, as Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Twilight, Sentinel and Mayor Mare all turned to look.

"YEEHAW!" Applejack shouted, as she and her dog ran along with the Cows. Ponies cheered as Applejack raced next to the stampeding cattle.

Rarity turned away, scared to look.

Meanwhile Pinkie Pie just laughed. "This is the best rodeo show I've ever seen!" She spoke, as she eat some popcorn.

Twilight just rolled her eyes, before a gold bubble surrounded her. She looked to her side and saw Sentinel had one around him too, along with Mayor Mare.

"What?" Sentinel said, as Twilight looked at him. "It's not that I don't have faith in Applejack, but better safe than sorry"

Everypony watched as Applejack tried to wrestle the cows to turn, many braced for a massive stampede to run them down. But luckily at the last moment, Applejack managed to lasso a rope over the lead cow and steer them all off-course.

Ponies cheered in relief, as Ponyville avoided being flattened into a pancake. They saw as after a minute or so, Applejack trotted over a hill with the sun behind her. Ponies cheered for her as she ran down with a "YEEHAW!"

"YEEHAW!" Pinkie replied, as she began bouncing around. "Ride'em Cowpony!"

As Sentinel dropped the protective bubble around himself, Twilight, and the Mayor, he watched as the Mayor turned to talk with Twilight.

"Applejack was just...just..." Mayor Mare struggled to find a word to describe Applejack.

"Appletastic?" Pinkie quickly dropped in, somehow standing in the sky and giving a perfect description. She then fell and face-planted.

"Exactly" The Mayor agreed. "We must do something to thank Applejack for single-hoofedly saving the town"

"I know!" Pinkie quickly spoke, leaping up to her hooves.  "A party!" She said, before bouncing off.





It had been a week since Applejack stopped Ponyville from being flattened by a stampede, and in that time the town had organized a celebration. It was a way to thank Applejack for saving them, and everypony was doing their part. This included Sentinel, who was currently helping Twilight and Spike make sure everything was prepared. Eventually, this led them to Rarity.

"We all ready?" Twilight asked Rarity, who was currently fixing some ribbons.

"Just one last thing" Rarity said, before her horn glowed. Using magic, she lifted a huge banner atop of Ponyville city hall. "Now we are ready"

"Is Applejack all set?" Twilight asked, as Sentinel marked down the final preparations were done.

"Actually, I haven't seen her all week" Rainbow Dash said, as she flew down towards the group.

"Not since the stampede" Pinkie Pie hopped over to join them.

"But she'll be here for sure. Applejack is never late" Rainbow Dash reassured them.

A couple minutes later, the town gathered in front of City hall where a podium had been set up. Once everypony was accounted for, Twilight walked on stage and towards the podium. Reaching it, she signaled for Sentinel. Who floated over a stack of notes to Twilight, it was her speech that she had prepped. Twilight tapped them on the podium, straightening them out before she began speaking.

"Welcome, everypony! Today we are here to honor a pony we can always count on to help in matters great and small. A pony whose contributions to--" Twilight was cut off by Rainbow Dash, who flew over and knocked away Twilight's notes.

"Did you see Applejack's slick moves out there? What an athlete!" Rainbow pushed Twilight, so she was standing at the Podium. "This week she's gonna help me with my new flying trick, and I know it's gonna be so awesome!" Rainbow Dash said, an excited look on her face.

Twilight pushed Rainbow away from the Podium, and returned to her spot. "Exactly, And..."

Twilight was once more cut off, as Pinkie Pie appeared in front of her. "This week, I get to run Sugarcube Corner for the first time!" Pinkie happily said.

"What does that have to do with Applejack?" Twilight questioned.

"Oh. Applejack, one of the best bakers ever, is gonna help me. Applejack makes everything great, so free samples for everypony!" Pinkie said, causing the ponies watching to cheer in joy.

"Oh-kay, that's great" Twilight pushed Pinkie to the side. "Now if I could just make a point without being inter-"

"Twilight?" Fluttershy spoke, now next to Twilight.

"-rupted" Twilight finished.

"Twilight, I'm so sorry, but I just wanted to mention that Applejack is also helping me this week with the official bunny census, where we count up all the new baby bunnies that were born this season. She's gonna help gather them using her wonderful herding skills" Fluttershy said, before slinking away at the sight of Twilight's annoyance.

"Anyone else? Anyone?" Twilight looked around, waiting for someone to speak.

"Weeelll.." Sentinel spoke, as he walked up to the podium. "Applejack is really crazy strong, so I got her to come help me with my Royal Guard Training! Or, is it "Protector of the Elements" training now? I don't really know...But I guess since it's still-" He noticed Twilight's not very happy expression "You know what..I'll figure it out myself.." He slowly backed away and off the stage.

"Anyone else?" Twilight asked, again. This time, no one cut her off. "No? Well then, as I was trying to say-" Twilight began, as she picked up her notes from the floor. However, Mayor Mare standing next to her caused her to let out a groan of frustration. "Never-mind!" Twilight said, storming off-stage.

Mayor Mare took to the podium.  "And so, with no further ado, it is my privilege to give the prize, Pony of Ponyville Award, to our beloved guest of honor, a pony of the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity. Ponyville's most capable and dependable friend, Applejack!" She said, to the cheers of ponies as a curtain was pulled back. However, the cheers turned into confusion as Applejack was nowhere to be seen.

However, Spike who didn't quite notice this yet, was still cheering. "Cool! Way to go Applejack, that was awesome! I-" He quickly noticed everypony looking at him, and he stopped.

It was a quiet murmur as ponies tried to figure out where Applejack was, until eventually a loud and familiar voice broke the silence.

"I'm here. I'm here" Applejack said, as she yawned and moved through the crowd of ponies. Apples falling out of her basket as she did so. "Sorry I'm late--whoa--I was just... whoa... Did I get your tail?" Applejack eventually stumbled her way to the stage. "Miss Mayor. Thank you kindly for this here... award thingy" Applejack said, walking over to the award and looking at it. " It's so bright and shiny and, heh, heh heh, I sure do look funny heh. Ooo-ooo" Applejack giggled to herself, as she played with her reflection in the trophy. Soon being joined by Pinkie who did the exact same thing.

"That is not right.." Sentinel said, as Twilight walked towards Applejack.

"Okay. Well, thank you Applejack for saving us from that scary stampede, and always being there for everypony" Twilight spoke, brushing off the weirdness.

"Yeah. I like helping the ponyfolks and stuff" Applejack said as she yanwed between words, she even began snoring for a second or two. Before she shook herself awake. "Oh, uh, yeah. Uh, Thanks...." Applejack finally said, before dragging the trophy away.

Twilight watched Applejack walk away with a worried expression. "Was it just me, or did Applejack seem a little--"

"Tired?" Rainbow Answered.

"Dizzy?" Fluttershy added.

"Messy?" Rarity said, causing Rainbow to look at her. "What? Did you see her mane?"

"She seemed fine to me!" Pinkie said, as she began "WOO'ing" for fun.

"Sentinel, what do you think?" Twilight asked, as she began looking around. "Sentinel? Where did he go?"





Sentinel watched Applejack, as she bucked apple trees. A tired expression on her face, he watched as she missed trees and sometimes accidentally kicked over a basket of apples. Eventually, he decided to talk to her...After she had fallen asleep standing up.

"Applejack?" Sentinel said, as he walked up to her. "Applejack!" He shouted, as he shook her.

"Huh, wha?!" Applejack said, as she was awakened. "Oh..Hey Sentinel"

"Applejack, what are you doing?" Sentinel asked, as Applejack walked away from him and began bucking more trees. 

"It's Applebuck season" Applejack replied, as she bucked another tree.

"Applebuck season?" Sentinel questioned.

"It's what the Apple family calls harvestin' time" Applejack spoke, as she bucked a tree. "We gather all the apples from the trees so we can sell 'em"

"Wait, but, why are you doing it yourself? Don't you have that big family? Heck, why isn't your brother out here?" Sentinel questioned as he followed Applejack around.

"Big Mac's injured, and they were just here for the Apple Family Reunion. They live all over Equestria" She bucked another tree. "Which means I'm on my own, which means I should really get back to work" She spoke, looking at Sentinel who was in front of her "Ahem...back to work"

"Are you sure that's a good idea? You look like a Cadet who spent all night studying instead of sleeping" He said, as she slightly wobbled.

"Oh, don't you worry 'bout nothing, I am fit as a fiddle" She said, as she walked off, trying to buck a tree, missing.

Sentinel teleported over to her using his magic "You sure you don't want any help? I know I'm a Unicorn, but I can buck a rock in half!"

"Help? No way no how!" Applejack replied, shaking her head.

"But, no way can you do this yourself!" Sentinel replied, as Applejack got in his face.

"Is that a challenge?!" Applejack asked.

"What? Of course not, it's just-" Sentinel began, before being cut off.

"Well, I'm going to prove to you I can! Now if you EXCUSE ME!" She said, as she walked by Sentinel "I've got apples to buck"

Sentinel shook his head, sighing. "Alright, but, take it easy Applejack" He said, as he trotted off.




Sometime later, Sentinel was reading at Golden Oaks library, he had a look of discontent on his face. It was something Twilight, who was currently making sure every book was in order, noticed.

"Hey, Sentinel, is something wrong?" She asked, as she trotted over. "Oh! And where did you go at the party? You just, vanished"

"It's just, I'm worried about Applejack. She's working herself to exhaustion, alone! I mean, you saw how tired she was!" Sentinel replied, as he closed the book. "I offered her help, but she just took it as a challenge" He sighed.

"Well, I'm sure she'll be fine. It is Applejack after all, you said yourself, she's one tough cookie" Twilight reassured him, as she collected some books of her own. "I'll just be reading, you know where to find me if you get too worried" She said, as she trotted off.

Sentinel continued to try and distract himself, after a while, he began to calm, when he heard a loud crash. He quickly stood up. "What was that?!" He ran upstairs, and out to a balcony Twilight was on. "Twilight! I heard a-" He cut himself off, noticing Rainbow Dash hanging over the railing.

"Uhhh, Rainbow?" He questioned "Can we....help you?" He asked, confused.

"I think, somepony else, needs your help..." Rainbow replied.

"Who?" Twilight questioned, putting down her book which Rainbow had interuppted.

"Applejack?" Sentinel asked.

"Yep.." Rainbow replied, as she flopped over and onto the floor in front of them.

Sentinel rolled his eyes. "Thought so...C'mon Twilight, I'll need your help with this one" He said, as he walked off to get ready for another trip to Sweet Apple Acers.

After a quick walk, Sentinel and Twilight arrived to see Applejack hit her head off of a branch while collecting apples. The two approached her.

"Applejack, can we talk?" Twilight asked.

Applejack seemed dazed, before responding. "Can Bees squak? No, I don't think so"

"No, can we talk?" Twilight asked again.

"Twenty stalks? Bean or celery?" Applejack asked.

"No! I need to talk to you!" Twilight yelled back.

"You need to walk to the zoo? Well who's stopping you?" Applejack questioned.

"Applejack, we need to talk to you" Sentinel finally chimed in.

"Oh? Sure, why didn't you say so" Applejack responded "What do you want to talk about?" Applejack asked, she was sort of yelling.

"Rainbow Dash stopped in to see us today!" Sentinel yelled back.

"That's quite neighborly of her!"

"Yeah! Except she crashed into my balcony after you launched her into the air!" Twilight responded to Applejack's comment.

"Oh...yeah..." Applejack responded, more quiet as her head hung. "I wasn't feeling quite myself this morning.."

"That's because you need help!" Sentinel said, aloud,

"Kelp?! I don't need Kelp!" Applejack barked back. "I don't even like seaweed."

"HELP! YOU NEED HELP!" Sentinel yelled back, a tad frustrated at the comical conversation.

"Nothin' doin', Sentinel. I'm gonna prove to you, to Twilight, t'everypony, that I can do this on my own" She said, as she walked right into a branch. "Ow! Now if you'll excuse me, I've gotta go help Pinkie Pie!" She said, as she stumbled away from them.

"See what I was talking about earlier?!" Sentinel spoke to Twilight.

"I do, she's working herself to death! But she isn't keen on help, so what are we going to do?" Twilight responded.

"You know what, I'm going to follow her, try to keep her out of anymore trouble" Sentinel replied. "You go back to Golden Oaks, and just be ready in case anymore ponies come crashing into the place"

"I don't know, I don't think Applejack would be too happy if she found out you were trailing her all day" 

"It'll be fine, Twilight, just trust me" Sentinel said, as he walked off to follow Applejack.





"How did I lose her?! She doesn't even know where she's going!" Sentinel vented aloud, as he looked around for Applejack. He was trailing her to see if she'd really not need any help, and, somehow, a clown, balloons, a group of colts and a unicycle caused him to completely lose track of her. "She has to be around here somewhere, unless she already got to Sugar Cube Corner....Gah! Where is that place anyway?" He was still getting used to finding his way around Ponyville, luckily for him, he had been searching for so long, Applejack felt mighty kind enough to find him, more specifically, the crowd she was drawing to the finally found Sugar Cube Corner. "Oh, finally, I-" He was cut off when a mare bumped into him.

"Oops! Sorry Mister!" A bubbly voice spoke.

Turning around, Sentinel found it to be coming from a blond maned, gray mare with bright yellow eyes. "Oh! It's fine, don't worry ma'am!" Offers a hoof. "I'm Sentinel Shield, by the way. No need to call me mister."

She shook his hoof "Hey Sentinel! I'm Derpy! Are you here for the free muffins?"

"Free Muffins?" He questioned, before he smiled, sure, he was supposed to be trailing Applejack, but, free muffins sounded like a steal! "Well, since you brought it up, I'd be happy to get some!" He moved aside. "Please, lead the way mademoiselle!"

"Ooooh! You speak Phrench!" The Gray mare exclaimed cheerfully as they began walking.

"From my mother's side, oui!" He happily exclaimed. "Though, I am behind on the lessons ever since I moved out here with Twilight.

"Wait.....WAIT! You're THAT Sentinel! From The Summer Sun Festival!" She realized and happily announced.

"Well, as far as I know, the one and only." Replying as they entered Sugar Cube Corner.

"Fresh Muffins! Get them while they're hot!" Applejack exclaimed as Sentinel could finally catch an eyeful of her.

He trotted up, and took one, Derpy also taking one for her own. As they did, Applejack tilted her head. "Sentinel? Are you following me?"

"Of course not." He replied. "I just wanted a free muffin, who doesn't?" He began to eat, and....

"Heyia Sentinel! How's-hey, are you alright, you look a little green?" Pinkie chimed in as other ponies began to eat.

Sentinel quickly spit the muffin out "That is disgusting!" He turned, seeing Derpy about to eat hers. "Wait! Don't eat that!"

"Huh?" She replied in confusion, hoovering in the air. "But, it's a free muffin!"

"Trust me, you'll get sick! I haven't tasted this foul since I first tried cooking." Sentinel said, as he took it from her, tossing it and his muffin in the trash.

"C'mon Sentinel! You're overreacting! Me and Applejack made these extra special!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

"Yeah, well, just give me two of those Lemon Surprise muffins, I know those were baked this morning." He spoke, taking out some bits to pay.

"Alright, if you insist!" Pinkie happily took the bits and gave him the two muffins.

Sentinel passed one to Derpy. "There, that one will taste much better." He said, popping his in his mouth.

"Wow! Is lemon surprise your favorite too?" Derpy asked.

"Favorite, I love it!" Sentinel exclaimed, and the two began to chatter non-stop...long enough for everyone who did eat to start feeling sick.

In only a few minutes, every pony in Sugar Cube Corner, even Pinkie Pie who ate a muffin to try and prove they were fine, were looking green and feeling sick. Even Sentinel, who spat his out, was feeling a tad woozy. However, he managed to contact some local doctors, and get everyone to a small sick-bay that was quickly set up just outside of Sugar Cube Corner. In a few more moments, Twilight and Spike arrived at the behest of Nurse Redheart, who was now taking care of every sick pony.

"Oh no! What happened?!" Twilight spoke upon arriving and seeing every sick pony.

"It was a mishap with some of the baked goods." Redheart quickly replied.

Twilight took one look at Sentinel, who had fetched some fresh water for the ponies, and asked. "Applejack?"

Sentinel sighed. "Applejack..."

Twilight herself sighed. "Alright, my turn to try. Sentinel, go back to Golden Oaks, okay? I'll handle it from here."

"Alright, I will, after I finish helping Nurse Redheart." He said, as he put down the two buckets of water.





It had been a good thirty minutes, maybe an hour since Sentinel got back to Golden Oaks, he was currently reading a book on ancient artifacts to distract himself from the worry of what poor Fluttershy might be dealing with given how Rainbow and Pinkie's deal with Applejack went. Twilight had returned not long after he got back, and she was a tad frustrated. He reasoned she failed to get Applejack to concede, and was currently brainstorming to try and get her to see a different way. He had just resigned to let Applejack figure it for herself, he did all he could. So, he was just reading.....until the ground started to rumble.

He closed his book with a sigh. "Why do I feel like I know what's gonna happen is somehow Applejack's doing?" Walking outside, he looked and saw Rainbow Dash in the sky.

"STAMPEDE!" She shouted, and flew away.

Sentinel stammered for a bit. "Stampede?! She's helping with baby rabbits! How could it possibly be a-" He turned and looked, and saw a tidal wave of adorable baby rabbits racing towards him. He frowned. "I don't get it." He said, before putting a shield of magic around himself, the rabbits simply ran by him.

He then dropped it, as the bunnies simply dissipated into the town, walking for a bit, he saw three mares on the ground grieving in horror.  "Uhh....do you three need help?"

"The horror! The Horror!" One shouted.

"It was awful!" Another cried.

"A terrible, horrible disaster!" The third yelled.

Sentinel took a quick look around at the not at all damaged houses. "....Uhhh....huh?"

"Our gardens, destroyed!" One of the mares cried out, looking over her destroyed garden.

"Every last flower, devoured!" Another said, as her floral stand was empty of anything but the stems

"By... by... THEM!" The third said, as she pointed towards the bunnies, now eating all sorts of vegetation, while poor Fluttershy was trying to stop them.

It didn't take long before Twilight trotted up next to Sentinel, and they both collectively sighed in anger.

"I think this is where the line is drawn." Sentinel said.

"Agreed, enough is enough!" Twilight said, as they both began trotting towards Sweet Apple Acres.





Twilight and Sentinel approached Applejack as she bucked a tree, collecting the falling apples. Sentinel stood back, letting Twilight go in first to speak with the exhausted mare.

"All right, Applejack. Your applebucking hasn't just caused you problems, it's over-propelled Pegasus', practically poisoned plenty of ponies, and terrorized bushels of brand new bouncing baby bunnies. I don't care what you say, you. Need. Help." Twilight said, clearly and firmly to the mare.

"Ha! No, I don't." Applejack said confidently, as she pointed to a stretch of empty trees. "Look, I did it. I harvested the entire Sweet Apple Acres without your help. How d'ya like them apples?" She then cockily asked, before her big brother, Big Mac, walked up behind her and cleared his throat.

"Um, how do you like them apples?" He said, as he pointed to an entire portion of the orchard that had been untouched by Applejack.

This was a bit too much for her, she began to mumble and stammer, looking woozy. Eventually, she flopped to the ground, Sentinel just barely stopping her from slamming onto it full force.

Sentinel trotted over to her, and concernedly began looking down at her. "Applejack? Are you alright? Applejack?" He began to ask, as she fluttered back to conciseness. "Okay, good...Now, please, listen. Twilight and I completely understand and respect the Apple family ways. You're always there to help anypony in need, so maybe you can put a little of your stubborn pride aside and allow your friends to help you?" He asked her kindly.

Applejack sighed. "Okay, Sentinel, Twilight, okay.."

"We're not taking no for a-" Sentinel began before stopping. "Wait, come again?"

"Yes, please, I need your help, I really need your help.." Applejack said, shakily getting up.

Sentinel smiled, and offered her a hoof. "Good! I was worried for a second!" He chuckled.

Within a few short minutes, Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash arrived at the call of Twilight. They began to work on harvesting the Apples, Sentinel and Rainbow even started a small competition on who could get the most trees done, which while good for harvesting apples, wasn't the best for Spike and Pinkie who had to carry the bucket loads of apples they got down.

After a while, Applejack rolled out a cart with some juice down to the group as they worked. "How about y'all take a little break? I got some fine apple juice waitin' for ya!" Applejack happily said, as the ponies began to make their way over.

"Sounds good, gives Rainbow time to catch her breath!" Sentinel said, using a cloth to wipe the sweat from his brow.

"Ha! You sure you aren't the one who needs to catch their breath!" Rainbow replied.

"Maybe I do, because I am 4 trees ahead!" Sentinel quipped back.

"Alright, enough you two." Twilight said with a chuckle. "Besides, my magic lets me get 10 trees at once, so, if anything, I'm winning." She said with a wink as they all made it to the table.

Applejack let out a sigh as they did. "Girls, and Sentinel, I can't thank you enough for this help. I was acting a bit stubborn."

"A bit?" Sentinel and Twilight said in unison, reflecting on how stubborn she had been the whole day.

"Okay. A mite stubborn, and I'm awful sorry. Now, I know the town gave me the Prized Pony award, but the real award is having you six as my friends!" She said with a smile.

And with that, everypony began to drink.

"Phew!" Rainbow let out after a sip. "That applebucking sure made me hungry!" She exclaimed, as Spike walked by with a handful of...

"Ewww! Spike! Did you fish those out of the trash?!" Sentinel asked, recognizing he had the muffins from earlier that day.

"Oh c'mon! They're really good!" Spike replied, to which everypony collectively gagged, before beginning to walk home, the sun starting to set. Spike chased after them with the muffins. "Just a nibble? C'mon!"

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Sentinel, since his hands are full, do you mind taking a note?"

Sentinel, using his magic, summoned a quill and some paper. "No problem!"

Twilight giggled. "Have you been preparing for this moment?"

"For a bit, yeah." He chuckled, before readying to write.

Twilight cleared her throat.  


Dear Princess Celestia,

 My friend Applejack is the best friend a pony could ever have, and she's always there to help anypony. The only trouble]is when she needs help, she finds it hard to accept it, so while friendship is about giving of ourselves to friends, it's also about accepting what our friends have to offer.

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle.



Sentinel finished writing, wrapping it up, he floated it over to Spike. "Calling air Spike, we got a package!"