A Hoof to Justice

It's been about a week since I started roaming the streets of Ponyville, and not much has happened. I mean, how hard can it be to find something going on in Ponyville? There has to be something I can do to test my skills, but what? I fly over Ponyville and land my hooves on the roof of town hall, to get a better look at the city.

"Nothing. Guess I'll just look tomorrow. Again." I get up to fly away, but feel a pressure on my tail. What is it? "Hey, let go of me!" The pony in question responds by taking their hoof off of my tail, almost making me fall off the building. I pull myself back up with my wings and stand back on the roof.

"Who do you think y--" I turn back behind me to see a pony with a purple and black costume. I know that look. That costume. It's that so-called "Mare-Do-Well" who turned out to be my friends working together to show me up that last time I was a hero. I could've sworn they told me they got rid of that costume. So, who is that mare standing in front of me...and why did she revive that costume?

I hear her cape rustle and I look up at a fleeing Mare-Do-Well. "Wait! Don't leave!" I step my hoof out to go after her, but I feel my hoof touch something on the ground. I take my hoof off of it; It was a note.

Iron Bolt,

I wouldn't keep wandering this town if I were you. It's best you be careful and not act too rashly. Remember, you're being watched. Even now. I won't let you out of my sight, I.B.

--Mystiemare

I look back up, but this "Mystiemare" is long gone. "So, is that how it is? You're on, Mystie." I have to wonder if this mare isn't just somepony who isn't one of my friends who just found that costume. Well, sure, I'll bite. If she wants a challenge, I'll give her one. I just need my friends to back me up if I'm gonna go against this mare head-on. I'm sure I can count on them.

"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash," Twilight says after I ask her at the door of her home. "Princess Celestia is giving me a lot of new responsibilities, you know how it is. I'm sure somepony else could help you."

Well, I can't really blame Twilight. "Oh. Yeah, sure. Thanks anyway." If there's one thing I know about Twilight, it's that she would be more than willing and ready to help us out if she could. I guess next I could ask Fluttershy. No wait, I know exactly how that would go.

Entering a higher-pitched voice, I mock the exact answer I would expect from Fluttershy. "Oh...my. I can't possibly do something as scary as fighting. Wouldn't that be dangerous? You can't seriously expect me to--"

"Uh, Rainbow Dash? What in tarnation are ya doing?" I turn around, and I find Applejack looking at me in a confused manner.

"Oh! Uh, nothing, AJ. Nothing at all." I give off a little laugh at this. I can't believe I was stupid enough to be seen in such a moment. "Actually, Applejack...there's something I wanna talk to you about."

"Oh..well, alrighty then. Shoot, ya know I'll be happy to help out with whatever it is."

Well, it looks like I'm back to square one. It turns out Applejack can't help with my challenge, either. Apparently, Big Mac fell ill and she has to buck all those apples on her own, considering Granny Smith is too old and Applebloom is too young. She promised she won't push herself, though, and I know AJ wouldn't lie about that. So, I guess next is Pinkie Pie....Sigh. I have a feeling this really is hopeless.

I trot into Sugar Cube Corner, and I find Pinkie Pie playing with Pound and Pumpkin Cake as their parents work. Strangely enough, I find Rarity there as well, talking with Mr. and Mrs. Cake. I trot on over to Pinkie Pie and the twins, and I take a seat by them. "So, Pinkie, what's Rarity need from Sugar Cube Corner?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing," Pinkie Pie says with her usually cheerful attitude, as if nothing's odd about that. She apparently notices my confused look, and goes on. "Oh! Well I don't mean nothing nothing. I mean nothing as in she's not buying anything. She has to make up to the Cakes about this luster dust that Sweetie Belle stole from them. She has to pay for it and all that, you know?"

"Oh, yeah, I guess that makes sense."

Rarity finishes with her transaction with the Cakes and trots over to me and Pinkie Pie. "Alright, Pinkie Pie. We can--Rainbow Dash? Whatever are you doing here?" Well, I guess now's as good of a time as any.

"Actually, I need a favor from Pinkie Pie, but you should listen to this too, Rarity. You could help as well."

And then I finally get to form my team against this Mystiemare.

[Chapter2-Challenge: END]